A/N: You'll notice from this point on until the end of sixth year that it might switch to Ben's POV sometimes. Since he's the main character of the next series which inspired this story (although The New Beginning series is being rewritten because I'm not happy with it anymore) I've let him be a voice sometimes. It will go back to Barry for his seventh year, but Ben will have his own story for his first year during that time. The New Beginning series currently on this site is officially AU. You can check it out if you want, but it no longer follows this story. There are too many inconsistencies between Ben's story and Barry's now anyway, but I just don't like how I wrote it. After a while, it will probably get moved and will be deleted from this site. This story will remain, although it needs to be fixed a bit too. I don't like Brenda's character in the beginning.
I waited until later in the evening to ask dad about him and I duelling. When we got home, it was the usual greetings and catch up. Ben wanted us to talk in private right away to know what had been going on, but so did we.
He wasn't able to tell us too much about what we didn't know, except more deaths and dementor attacks. He stayed quiet while we told him what we'd been up to. He just sat with his arms around his knees lost in thought while we talked.
"I think mum and dad are going to pull all three of you out as soon as you're done with your exams," he told us. "They haven't said anything to me but I've noticed mum and dad seem to be stocking up on food supplies more and other things. They've strengthened their spells on this place and dad has been visiting Jerome and Tasha more too. Something is happening, but I don't know what. Ever since Luna was taken off the train they've been more worried."
"As much as I want to fight, I'm ready to go into hiding," Brianne said and showed him her wrists where she has some scars left from being hung up by her wrists. "They're getting worse with the first and second years. It's like they're doing it to egg the older students on. I don't want you to go next year."
"For the first time in my life, I don't want to go," he said. "I'll be going in less than six months at last and I don't want to. I'm scared and I'm scared for you three and your friends as well."
I felt angry again as he spoke. It was true, ever since my first year, and especially after Brenda went, he'd been longing to go. It was nearly his turn and either we wouldn't go, making him wait another year, or he'd be going during the worst possible time.
I got up from Ben's second bed and excused myself. When the others asked why I told them I would explain later. I wanted to keep fighting, even if we didn't go back. I wanted to do it for Ben, the other children his age, my sisters and the children I would eventually have with Tasha.
I wanted them all to grow up without a war or a dark lord. I wanted us all to live happy lives again. I wanted all of us who could fight to do it until this was possible.
So I hurried downstairs to where mum and dad were talking in low whispers. They stopped the moment I entered the room and I was sure they'd been discussing something they didn't want me to hear.
"What's wrong Barry? Did you hear more news?" Mum asked.
"No, I just- I want to fight if I have to. I've had practice but I want more," I said looking more at dad than mum. "I was wondering if you'd duel with me, dad. Now that I'm of age, I can at home. And I don't want you to go too easy on me."
Mum and dad sighed and then looked at each other. I waited for them to tell me that under no circumstances would this happen, but dad finally nodded.
"We did purchase some of those shield clothing from the Weasley shop," dad responded. "They're only for minor hexes and jinxes but I think they can help. Alright son, I'll duel with you. You know I wish that it will not come to that, but the last thing I want is for you to be unprepared as well. We will start tomorrow as long as your promise to keep your school work up."
"Do you really think you need to ask me that?" I asked. "You're a seasoned dueller. You've been in fights against Death Eaters. You know I can't tell you what I've been up to, but you're one of the few people I know who can stand their ground against them."
"And perhaps the younger kids can watch," mum said. "Not that I want them to fight but if they can see it, though I'm sure they girls have some experience but Benny, if we do send you all next year, he's walking into it with no knowledge. Yes, I think we can be lenient on this. And perhaps I'll join in as well with you."
I wasn't too comfortable with duelling my mother but I would take both opponents if I had to. I knew Brianne and Brenda would be upset they couldn't either but there wasn't much we could do about that. They were underage. I'd do what I could to protect them if I had to, which was why mum and dad would come in handy.
"Just promise me that you won't go easy on me," I told them.
"Oh don't worry son, I'm going to show you exactly what you're in for," dad responded. "Maybe you already have an idea but I will tell you this. It is much more different when you're fighting an enemy than a friend. Whatever you've been doing won't be anything like that because you know you're not about to die. In a real duel, you will die and so will your friends and family."
I was almost scared but I knew dad was right. How many times had Ginny and Neville told us the same? I did wonder what dad would have in store for me the next day.
After my apparition lesson the next day, dad took me home and then handed me some clothes and a hat that was supposed to help protect me from most spells.
The lesson as I suspected had been a lot more fun than it had been at school. They'd set up various apparition checkpoints around the village and asked us to apparate there. At first Nick, and I along with our classmates who were old enough for extra lessons were scared of the Dementors but we were told they would leave us alone.
I had some difficulty with some of the further distances but I managed to do it each time and I was only off by a few feet most of the time. Nick seemed to have it down and managed to go exactly where he needed to each time. It was likely the first time he was beating me in a class.
He was going to join us at times for duels but not that day. His dad promised he could next time and the four of us would fight. All our parents to our surprise were perfectly fine with this. And I was also shocked when neither of my sisters complained. All three of my siblings were fine with watching dad and me.
Dad decided we'd do it in the yard while mum and the others watched from the back deck.
Dad wasn't wrong when he said he wouldn't hold back. He was brutal, but for the most part, I could keep up. I wasn't sure if it was the protective clothing, or my training but dad was good and it took him a long time before he took me down.
The two of us ran around the snow-covered yard (though it was melting) throwing spells at each other. I did my best to utilize objects to throw at time or block his spells. I managed to stop him from stunning me with one of mums decorative rocks but I celebrated too soon after it blew up and I sent the boil curse at him.
He was ready for me, and he knocked me on my ass and then stunned me. I came to likely moments later, though my siblings and mum had joined us. Dad helped pull me get on my feet and then he handed me a bottle of pumpkin juice.
"Let's relax before we start again. I must say son, you impressed me. You know what you're doing, but I'm also going to teach you what you're doing wrong."
"And we are going to help," Ben said excitedly. "Barry, that was brilliant. I hope someday I can be as good of a dueller as you are. You don't even seem like a kid anymore."
"That's because he's not," mum said with tears in her eyes. "He's a young man now and we need to accept that."
"But what do you plan to do?" I asked. "I refuse to hex them at school for detention. I'm not hexing my underage wandless brother or my wandless sisters for that matter."
"No they'll just distract you while you fight your mother and me," dad said quickly. "First I'm going to give you some pointers and then we will start again. We kind of discussed this while you were out but your mother and I talked last night too, and then she talked to the girls and Ben today while you were at your lesson. They're more than happy to help."
"Well, if we can't duel ourselves then we might as well help Barry. And we can pick up on things too," Brianne said. "Especially Ben who will be defenceless next year if we go."
"And I can pick up on spells for my OWLs," Brenda added. "And we get to throw things at you, which I admit is a bonus."
"I might not feel too guilty if a stray spell hits you," I told her but I was laughing.
"That's okay, mum and dad are making us wear the protective clothing," Brenda said and then she whispered low enough that mum and dad couldn't hear. "And I can get you back at school."
Dad and I relaxed for about fifteen minutes before we decided to start again. I was nervous as mum joined in not only because I didn't want to hex my mother but because it was now two adults against me and I was sure she wouldn't hold back either.
I didn't do as well that time as the first, but I kept up. The obstacles my siblings tried to set up weren't as big of a deal and were a minor annoyance but what I didn't count on was for mum to be as good as she was. She'd never really spoken of duelling the way dad did, so it came as a shock. I think it shocked my siblings too.
Brenda was having too much fun throwing dirt-covered snowballs at me, and I couldn't wait to get her back, especially when one hit me in the back of the head.
With two of them fighting me while I needed to pay attention to the obstacles the kids threw at me, I had a harder time with my reflexes. There were many times when both mum and dad nearly had ve down and if I hadn't used a statue to block mum's curse, I'd be down sooner.
It was Nick who caused me to get taken out by my own mother. I heard him calling for me as he sprinted into the yard with his parents behind him. Once again, I was taken out by a stunner when I looked in his direction.
When I woke up, the others were surrounding me.
"Thanks a lot, mate," I said to Nick who just chuckled. "What are you doing here?"
"I have something to tell you that is good news for a change, but I have to say, I'm impressed. We were watching before we came over here. Good for you. Mum, dad, can't I join in too?"
"Another day son," Nick's dad said.
"I think we're done for the day, but Barry, you truly shock me. I know you can't tell me anything and I know you have experience but I never expected you to hold your own for so long and none of us held back," mum said. "We'll do this as much as possible during the rest of the holidays and the summer too. Now that I've seen you fight, I want you to be prepared as much as possible."
"I'm just glad you didn't hold back," I said rubbing my leg which hurt.
"Neither did I," Brenda said. "I meant every dirty snowball."
"Yeah, about that," I said as I thought of the snowball she'd chucked at my head. She'd taken off her defensive clothing, so I aimed my wand at her and she dissolved into giggles as she was hit with the tickle jinx.
"What good news did you hear?" Brianne asked Nick while Ben began throwing some snow into Brenda's hair, who shouted for him to stop.
"Obviously, I can't say how but there was just a message from Luna. She's safe. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger rescued her, Ollivander and a Goblin from the Malfoy's cellar. Unfortunately, Dobby died, but they're all safe. She didn't say anything else besides that, but she's safe, Barry. And it must mean something, doesn't it? They're still doing something."
"Dobby died? That's too bad. I always liked him," Brianne said. "But how?"
"I'm not sure. She didn't say but you remember Dean Thomas? He's okay too," Nick said.
"Who is Dobby?" I asked looking from Brianne to Nick who truly seemed sad about his death.
"A house-elf that worked at Hogwarts. From the sounds of it, he helped get them out. He was always a great help when we snuck food from the kitchens. The writing was very small but I knew you lot would want to know about Luna," Nick said.
It was a relief to know he was safe. I aimed my wand at Brenda to take off the tickling charm as the others got up. The adults began to talk in low voices as well. I wondered how the rest of the DA was reacting to the news.
It had to mean something though. By the time I checked my coin, Luna's message was gone and others had written, telling her that they were glad she, Dean, and Ollivander were okay, but if Harry, Ron, and Hermione had rescued them from Malfoy Manor it meant something.
Nick wasn't able to stay long but we all speculated this up in my room while the adults talked downstairs.
"Maybe you can go next year with all this behind you after all," Nick said to Ben.
"But how did they get there? Why were they there?" Brenda asked.
"From what she said on the coin, they were captured but they all escaped. She hasn't written back, I don't think. Might be too risky wherever they are but at least we know they're all okay," Nick said.
"I wonder if snatchers got them then," Ben said.
"What are snatchers?" Brianne asked him.
"People who try and catch missing witches, wizards or muggles for money," Ben answered. "Harry Potter already has all that money on his head but so does Hermione. She was on the list of muggle-borns who didn't register, just like Tasha."
"But what about Ron? Wasn't there an article months ago that he was sick with something? Won't they know the Weasleys have been lying now? I always thought maybe they were, most of us have, but now it's been proven," Brianne said.
I'd forgotten about that. The Weasleys had put out word that Ron was sick with splattergroit but most of us figured it was a way to cover it up, and Ginny often spoke about Ron being away at meetings. We just never talked about it outside the DA. I'd assumed from the start that he was with Harry and Hermione.
"I could be wrong, but I guess we can expect that we won't see Ginny when we go back," Nick said. "If they know Ron was with Harry this whole time, they'll be going after them for sure. Thank Merlin it did happen now and not while we were at school. They have been watching her more than usual."
"But now we won't know if she had more information for us," Brenda said.
"That's not important now," Nick said. "All that matters is they're all safe. But maybe they are with her right now. Maybe they're planning something. I bet Harry, Ron, and Hermione don't know what is happening at Hogwarts. If they knew…" and he shook his head as he trailed off. "Maybe it's still dumb optimism but I think this is it. I think all the fighting we've been doing is going to pay off sooner than later. I hope mum and dad let me train with you."
"Well, they don't hold back, that's for sure," I said. "And I've learned loads just from today."
"I just wish we could too, even if we get why," Brianne said. "But Barry, our parents are right. The DA has prepared us. At school, we can never see what kind of duellers any of us are because we are always disguised but you did well, especially when mum and the rest of us joined in."
It was a routine we kept up every day of the holidays. Sometimes I would have apparition lessons but every single day we'd fight outside even if it was raining or snowing. Nick and his parents joined us for a good amount of time too. I hadn't seen how well Nick could fight because as Brianne said, we were always disguised but he impressed me. At the beginning of the year, neither of us would have been able to fight the way we could now.
"I just hope neither of you has to fight," mum said toward the end of the holidays. "I'm glad you both can, and you've both improved since we started but it scares me that you can."
They gave me a break when I was to go take my Apparition exam. I was hoping once I did pass, I could use it while duelling in the yard. Mum and dad had apparated a few times to dodge a spell and do had Nick's parents.
I was nervous the morning of my exam and both my parents had to convince me to eat.
"I've been watching you, son. You have this," dad told me.
Nick was confident about his exam but he was great. It seemed second nature to him now. I just hoped I wouldn't splinch myself again. I'd heard Ron Weasley left half an eyebrow behind and that would be my luck as well.
I tried not to worry too much as dad advised. After all, I could take the exam again (though I wasn't sure when) but I just wanted to pass. I wanted to be able to apparate as well. I could help get the kids home from school, especially next year.
It was a drizzly and cool day and I hoped it wouldn't throw me off. Nick and the others seemed excited but I remained quiet. We had to apparate to the Shrieking Shack and back not too far from the castle's gates.
It was hard waiting but we had to do it in alphabetical order. Watching my classmates, some successful some not didn't do much for my nerves.
"You'll do great," Nick told me as I waited for Harper to finish.
Thankfully, he didn't pass. He overshot it by a lot and left a few fingertips behind. When it was my turn, Nick and the others gave me a thumbs up.
"You know what to do," Wilkie Twycross told me. "To the Shrieking Shack and back. An examiner will check you over when you arrive."
I nodded and thought about the Shrieking Shack and the spot we were to apparate to. I felt myself go through the familiar uncomfortable feeling of apparition and everything went dark.
Thankfully, I appeared right in front of an older man with white hair, who was slightly shorter than me. He looked me over and confirmed everything was where it should be.
"Great job!" He said excitedly. "I believe I've tested your father and your cousins Mr. Hoofer. I'm not surprised you've done well. Now go on back, young man. If you can go back without splinching yourself, you've passed."
I turned on the spot thinking about where I'd just left moments ago. I appeared exactly where I'd stood before apparating the first time. Wilkie Twycross grinned at me after inspecting me.
"Congratulations Mr. Hoofer, you have passed," and he took a moment to fill out a form before handing it to me.
I wanted to watch Nick and the others but I went over to dad who congratulated me excitedly. There wasn't much to smile about these days, but for the first time in a while, I was feeling true happiness and excitement.
Nick and everyone but Gretchen passed but she didn't seem too hung up on it. At home, mum made a celebratory meal for me that night. I apparated around the house as much as I could. It was fun to sneak up on Brenda when she least expected it.
"You're so immature!" She shouted the last time I did it. "I'm so glad you can't at Hogwarts."
"Yeah but I can as much as I want at home," I told her.
"Unless I tell mum and dad," she retorted.
"Are you really going to go back to doing that? Besides, it's payback for all snowballs you've been throwing in my face. Be glad I don't do worse," I told her before disapparating back to my room.
I was sure I heard her say she'd hope I would splinch myself.
I couldn't disapparate out of the house or apparate in, but I still had fun doing it around the house or in the yard. It certainly gave me an advantage when we all duelled. Although I wasn't sure if it would help me at Hogwarts if we ever had to fight there again.
All in all, it was a great holiday and I dreaded going back to school. It had been a carefree holiday and I wasn't ready to go back to the life we had at Hogwarts. Most of our injuries had healed and all three of us knew that was about to change.
Ben hugged us each tightly before running from the room. I knew he'd gone off to cry, but he didn't want us to see it.
"Barry, you may apparate there, but be careful. You've never gone that distance before. Mr. Higgs said to apparate right into his living room. You go first before your sisters," dad said. "He'll let me know when you've arrived."
I nodded and gave my mother one last hug before concentrating on Mr. Higgs living room. This time I felt like it took longer, but the moment my feet hit the ground I knew I'd made it. His house had a spicy scent to it. Sure enough, when I opened my eyes it was to see Mr. Higgs grinning at me.
"Well done, young man. Seems you're here in one piece," he told me.
My dad came next and examined me as well while we waited for the girls to come through the floo. Just as Brianne showed up, Nick appeared in the room too. Dad quickly checked him over but he was fine as well.
"Good job, boys," dad said before he turned to thank Mr. Higgs.
"You know I'll look out for them anytime," he said.
On the way there, dad warned us all to be careful and to just get through our last term safely.
"Try not to anger them too much," he pleaded. "I'm tired of the three of you coming home with injuries. If I can ever get my hands on the three of them…" He added angrily, balling up his fists.
He hugged us each and again begged us to be careful and that he'd see us in the summer unless we decided to come home sooner.
"We are ready to go into hiding at any time if that's what you wish," he said.
It seemed like he had a harder time leaving us that time, and I thought of Ben who had run off. Were they all worried this term would be the worse so far?
The DA who had stayed tried to keep it up while we were gone. Michael Corner had managed to free a first-year who'd been chained up a few days after we got back, but the Carrows beat him up and worse than anything they'd given us so far, including Nick. He could hardly walk, and he was unrecognizable.
After that, Neville told us we had to focus on other parts of the DA, and we couldn't risk getting caught freeing the younger students ever again. Michael looked bad, and he needed help to get to and from classes. The Carrows wouldn't let him miss any classes over it.
Neville was trying to get someone to fill in Ginny's place because as we predicted, she didn't return. There was no contact from any of them but we supposed it meant they needed to lay low. At least we knew they were safe, but we all wondered what Harry, Ron, and Hermione were doing.
Neville was sure that he was coming to Hogwarts next, but not too many of us believed this anymore. We believed he was doing something but it was likely something far from the school. Something that would defeat You-Know-Who for good.
We all started up the DA lessons again, but then word got out that they were after Neville. Our final leader. I didn't learn about this until after Charms class when we ran into a group of seventh years who told us quickly what had happened. They'd try to go after his grandmother, but when they couldn't get her, she went on the run and they tried to get him in class. The others fought the Carrows while Neville took off.
It wasn't until after dinner that we found out he was holed up in the Room of Requirement, but he believed he was safe. He told us on the coins that he'd made sure that none of our enemies could get in.
The Carrows, who were angry about this started going after the rest of the seventh years, particularly the ones who'd helped Neville to escape. I knew it was a matter of time before they'd go after anyone of age. The sixth years were already talking about hiding out as well once more seventh years disappeared but I couldn't. Brenda wanted to do her OWLs and there was no way I was abandoning her and I knew Nick and Brianne felt the same way.
I kept Mr. Higgs updated though I left obvious parts out. I just explained that there was a chance we'd be evacuating sooner than we thought.
So far, the sixth-years and younger seemed to be safe. It was mainly seventh-years and soon enough, we eventually stopped seeing all the seventh-year Ravenclaws in the common room, but they continued to communicate through the coins.
Instead of going after the younger students to take us away, they tried interrogating us about their whereabouts. Nick came back after one interrogation looking almost as bad as he had at the beginning of the school year.
"Brenda, you know enough that you could pass your exams in the summer. Can't we hide now, they're coming down harder on us now. Can't we just-" Brianne began.
"I'll hide out once I finish my exams. It's not long now, it's almost May. You three can go if you want," she said and Nick laughed at that.
"The moment we disappear is when they come for you. We either all go at once or we don't," he said. "But be ready, if they come after Barry or I the way they have the seventh years, you won't have a choice. They're watching us and we're both of age now."
"And only then will I hide, and while I'm not reverting to third-year again, couldn't the rest of you just back off a little? Just so you don't have to run and hide? Just until I'm done? Hex Alecto all you want after my last exam but please just try," she pleaded with us.
So we did promise, as hard as it was though we still refused to hex students in detention. I could see the Carrow's eyes on me more as each day passed, and I was paranoid we were next. Amycus in particular stared at me, especially in the corridors.
At the beginning of May, I began getting a small bag ready just in case, while I warned Brenda in a low voice during dinner that it could happen at any time.
"I'm ready, I've noticed that too. They're watching Nick a lot too," she told me at dinner. "But I think you're-"
"Harry Potter broke into Gringotts and got away on a dragon!" We heard someone shout and we all turned to see that Terry Boot, who had been hiding until that point, had entered the Great Hall to shout this.
Around us, people began to whisper asking if this was true or not. The Carrows advanced on him, and before he could get away they managed to grab him and they beat him right there in front of all of us. The first and second years were crying. Someone, I wasn't sure who, hit both the Carrows with a jinx which gave Terry time to run for it. Someone sent the trip jinx at Alecto as she tried to chase after him.
"Now who went and done that?" Amycus demanded.
No one spoke, even as he sent various hexes and jinxes at the rest of us.
"Dinner is over, get out of here! You all disgust me. Go straight to your common rooms. If you don't, you'll be chained up for the rest of the year!" Amycus shouted.
I wondered if the news was true about Harry. Most of the time when they attacked us, they were excited but both seemed agitated as they sent us off. I couldn't help but notice they were exchanging looks with Snape. We hurried from the Great Hall, everyone talking about what had just happened, but there was no hesitation. The other teachers seemed worried as well and we didn't want to make it harder for them either.
My friends and sister and I went straight to my dorm. I'd been keeping the chalkboard in my bag disguised as a textbook in case I had to run, but I waited until we were securely in the room before taking it out.
"There have been messages on the coins, it's true," Samaira said taking her coin out. "They heard it on Potterwatch but it's all over the place apparently. Everyone is talking about it"
"Yes, it is," I said reading the message mum had left. "Mum and dad heard it too. They broke into Bellatrix Lestranges vault. Why hers? Why break into Gringotts in the first place"
"She is the biggest You-Know-Who supporter," Philip said. "Maybe there was something there. They must have found something out at the Malfoys."
"Do you think they'll be here next?" Nick asked. "I mean what did they steal from the vault and why?"
"It's got to be something to defeat You-Know-Who," Alistair said. "If it was in the Lestranges vault, it has to be."
We stayed in the dormitory for the rest of the evening. Shortly after the girls left, the rest of us began getting ready for bed. I was just starting to doze off when we heard a loud bang come from the common room. Everyone was already on edge as it was, so we all got up and hurried down. What surprised us was to see Alecto Carrow passed out and alone on the floor. One of the first years rushed forward and nudged her with his foot, but she didn't move.
"I think she's dead," he said excitedly and the rest of us moved closer now.
Moments later, we could hear banging on the door, and then we heard Amycus shouting at Alecto to let him in. Many of the younger kids rushed back to the dorms. We all knew he'd blame us if she was dead.
Amycus continued to shout for her to open the door, while many others rushed off back upstairs. I remained as long as I could, but Nick and Brenda tugged on my arm to leave when we heard McGonagall arrive.
I hesitated until I heard her give the door knocker the answer and then hurried out with the others.
"I need to tell mum and dad," I whispered as we hurried up. "But we should listen-"
"You lot go, I'll listen," Alistair said.
So we continued up to the dorm where I grabbed the bag I kept beside my bed. Nick meanwhile was looking for his coin.
"Harry is here!" He said excitedly.
"What?" I asked looking up from the message I was working on sending to mum and dad.
"It says Harry arrived recently and they're going over the plan but we are fighting," he said excitedly.
"Do you think that has to do with Alecto and Amycus? Did Harry knock her out?" Brianne asked.
"But why would Harry be in Ravenclaw tower?" Brenda asked.
"Why would he break into Gringotts?" I asked. "Why would he go to Lunas? He's doing something. Have they said anything else?"
Nick just shook his head. I quickly sent a message to mum and dad. Just as I read through a message from mum to keep them updated, Alistair rushed in.
"You'll never believe this! Potter was in our common room. They're evacuating the castle!" He said as he hurried over.
"What?" Several of us said at once.
Alistair quickly explained what he'd heard. Amycus was going to try and blame us on what happened to Alecto, but McGonagall shot him down right away and he spat in her face. Harry apparently used crucio on Alecto and then revealed himself from under his invisibility cloak. Apparently, he came to Hogwarts to find something and You-Know-Who knew he was there, and he was on his way. They were evacuating the students to Hogs Head in Hogsmeade so Harry could find it. Luna was with him as well.
"You mean they were there in the common room when we went down there?" Philip asked and Alistair nodded.
I quickly told mum and dad what was happening.
'Mr. Higgs will meet all of you at the Hogshead. He'll help you bring the girls home, Barry.' Mum wrote back.
"But when are they evacuating us?" Gretchen asked.
"All Ravenclaws to the common room please," we heard Fliwick's voice magnified around us.
I quickly grabbed my bag and hurried after everyone. Flitwick was standing in the middle of the common room, above him, the Carrows were tied up in a net, dangling from the ceiling.
"Nevermind them," Flitwick said. "Prefects, please help me lead the students to the Great Hall. You'll be instructed on everything you need to know once there."
"Are we evacuating sir?" Philip asked.
"You'll learn more once we are down there. Follow the Prefects and myself please. I quickly went into prefect mode, for what might be the last time and began helping with leading the students out.
On our way down, I thought I felt my coin which I had slipped into my pocket burn. More messages from the DA were going out. They must have known by that point that we were indeed fighting or something was going to happen because they were sending out more messages that we were fighting, and asking for more people to come.
I hadn't mentioned anything about fighting to my parents. As far as they knew, we were just being evacuated, although I did wonder if they were getting messages from The Order at all. If we were allowed to fight, I had a feeling it would only be people of age, and I planned to stay.
"I need to talk to you two," I whispered quickly to Brianne and Brenda as we took seats at the Ravenclaw table. "If they're making all the underage kid's students leave. You have to go. You need to go home to mum and dad… and explain."
"If you're staying, I'm staying," Brenda said and Brianne nodded in agreement.
"Absolutely not, especially you," I added to Brianne. "I want you both to promise you'll leave and you won't try to sneak back somehow," and I held my pinkies out to both of them.
Neither of my sisters did at first, they stared at me defiantly. Then Brenda gave in first with a sigh and then linked her pinky into mine. Brianne's eyes began to water but she too linked her pinky into mine.
When the house tables filled up, McGonagall began speaking, explaining that we were indeed evacuating and Filch and Madam Pomfrey would be guiding us. I clutched my wand and then handed my bag to Brianne. If I could fight I would. There was some excitement when Harry Potter entered the Great Hall. He avoided eye contact with everyone. Ernie asked the question we were all wondering about.
"And what if we want to stay and fight?"
Many of us applauded this.
"If you're of age, you may stay," she told him.
I turned to my sisters immediately.
"Remember your promise," and then I looked at Brenda. "I'm relying on you to get Brianne home safely."
"I will," she said but I knew they both hated to leave me.
Brianne threw her arms around me and began to cry. McGonagall was still explaining things but she was interrupted by a loud voice that seemed to come from the walls.
"I know you're preparing to fight," Brianne gripped me tighter and I hugged her back while others screamed. I saw Brenda clutch Nick, in fear. The room fell silent as the voice continued. "Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. "
It fell silent in the room again and no one moved. Brianne only tightened her grip on me.
"Give me Harry Potter," the voice began again. "And none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
It fell silent again in the room and everyone looked over at Harry, who was frozen on the spot, and looking very uncomfortable. From behind me, I heard a girl shout:
"But he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!"
As soon as she finished the Gryffindors all stood up to face her with their wands out, and the rest of us followed suit. I turned to see that it was Pansy Parkinson. I let go of Brianne so I could aim my wand at her while my sister did the same. Every one of us had our wands out at her. She looked terrified and not at all happy with how things had turned on her.
"Thank you, Miss Parkinson," Professor McGonagall said. "You will leave the Hall first with Mr. Filch. If the rest of your house could follow."
The Slytherins all got up to leave, and then Professor McGonagall called out: "Ravenclaws, follow on!"
Brianne burst into tears again as she hugged both Nick and I. Brenda did the same and then she took Brianne's hand.
"Come on Brianne, take Barry's place as prefect. Help me with the evacuation," she said.
I watched them and then turned to Nick. I knew that could be the last time we'd see either one of them. He quickly hugged me though I didn't cry. I knew we both needed a hug though.
Ben's PoV
It was close to midnight, long after mum and dad usually let me stay awake, but that night they didn't care. That day, we had been hearing news about Harry Potter and what he was up to.
First, he and his two friends broke into Gringotts for some reason, although I wondered if mum and dad secretly knew why wouldn't tell me, and then he'd turned up at Hogwarts.
Barry usually kept us up to date the most, and he wrote to mum and dad explaining everything. Harry Potter had turned up in the Ravenclaw common room and took out one of the teachers by beating them up or something. Then it seemed he was there to find something and they were evacuating the school.
It had been almost a half-hour since we'd heard from him last. Mum and dad were worried that if Harry was at Hogwarts it meant there would be a fight.
I was sure that's what it meant. I knew more about what was going on than they did. Dad was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace while he waited for them. I didn't want to say they might not even come. All three were determined to fight.
They were all part of a group called the DA and they'd been preparing for this very moment all year. It was why Barry had wanted to duel our parents at Easter. He'd wanted to get better at duelling so he could fight in a battle like the one that was likely about to take place, or already was.
"Jerome isn't responding to my messages," mum said in a panicked voice.
"Ben, I know you can't tell us much, but what can you tell us?" Dad asked, turning to me.
"Only what you already know. Maybe it's taking time to evacuate them anyway," I said, figuring it took some planning to do that. "But I do know if there is a fight and they're allowed to stay, they will. You know why Barry wanted to duel at Easter."
I wasn't part of the DA and I think there were even some things they couldn't tell me, but I had been sworn in two years ago and whatever spells they had, allowed me to still be told stuff. I couldn't tell them everything but I knew mum and dad knew there was potential they'd stay.
"I doubt Barry will let Brianne stay," I said to reassure them as much as myself. I didn't want any of them to fight but Brenda and Barry could handle themselves. Brianne was just a third year. She was smart but she wouldn't be able to handle fully-grown wizards. I worried even Brenda couldn't.
"I doubt the teachers will let the underage students stay," mum responded with a sigh. "I think both Nick and Barry will stay behind."
"I'm going if he does," dad said to mum. "You know I can't stay at home while my boy is there fighting. I knew he was planning this, they all have but I didn't want it to come to this."
"I know," mum said. "Go on, I'll stay here with the kids. It's okay."
A Patronus shaped like some kind of bird flew into the house.
"We are fighting. Apparate straight into the Hogs Head if you'd like to join," it said before disappearing.
"I have to go-" dad began but an elderly man appeared in the living room with my sisters who were both crying. Brianne was clutching Barry's school bag.
"Why do you have Barry's school bag?" I asked.
"He stayed, didn't he?" Dad asked the girls.
"He and Nick are staying to fight," Brenda said while Brianne wept harder. I hurried over to hug her.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. That's my boy," dad said and he ran around the room hugging us before disapparating.
Mum stared at the spot where he'd disappeared before turning to my sister's.
"Girls, go get dressed. We're going to Hogsmeade," mum suddenly said.
"But mum, the fight, we were told we can't and what about Ben?" Brenda asked.
"I can't stay here while my son and my husband are there, just wondering what's happening. We aren't going to Hogwarts. I just want to be near them. We can go back to the Hogshead-"
"You'll do no such thing," Mr. Higgs said. "If you insist on going, we'll go straight to my house. I have a good view of the castle from there. And Barbara, if you feel the need to go, I'll look after your children."
"I'll stay with them just now, but if it comes to that, I will join," she said. "Girls please change and then we will go. Perhaps we can look after the other children who are there. If need be, we can try to bring them back here."
Brianne handed me Barry's bag and left with Brenda to change. I opened his bag to see a change of clothes in it, a picture of the family and the quill box I'd made for him along with the chalkboard and a few other mementos.
I pulled out the chalkboard to see dad's last message to Barry asking what was going on, and asking why he wasn't answering. The girls must have changed fast, which was unheard of for both of them. They both hurried back down wearing sweaters and jeans.
"Alright, let's go kids. Let's see what we can do from there," mum said before turning to the girls. "Neither of you are fighting."
"If you want to help, you can help us see if there are any students left behind in the Hogshead," Mr. Higgs said. "We'll protect them."
"And maybe I might send you all back here, but I have to stay. I need to know," mum said.
"My friends might still be there but we left before we could check, but I think it's a good idea," Brianne said.
"Then let's go," mum said, holding her hand out to me.
I was glad we were going. Even if we couldn't go to Hogwarts, I felt better knowing that we were close to dad and Barry too. Who knew what was happening? I didn't want to think we'd never see them again, but I knew what could happen.
I got up and hurried over to take my mum's hand while pleading with Barry and my dad in my head to be safe.
