Chapter 4
- Man The Boundaries -
Students ran to either side of the hall. Teddy's wand was already in his hand when Snape brandished his. No one fired though, cause someone else had moved across the room and was standing in front of Harry. Snape looked in surprise as McGonagall stared back at him, her tight face stern and cold as stone.
Zwip!
A bright gold light, almost like fire, zapped out of the witch's wand, Snape flicked his wand as the spell hit an invisible wall. His eyes widened that little bit further, but McGonagall was showing no mercy as she fired again, and again, and again.
Snape blocked every single one of her attacks, but that didn't stop McGonagall from pushing the greasy haired Headmaster further and further back. Beside Snape two Death Eaters ran in to help, but one of McGonagall's spells backfired off of Snape's protective enchantment, causing them to be propelled backwards and knocked out cold.
Snape's movements were becoming more and more extravagant, but he continued edging to the back of the hall. Until finally he wafted upwards in a cloud of black smoke, jumping from one side of the hall to the other. McGonagall tried to keep her wand on him but he was too fast. Seeing no prevail, Snape flew out of the large window behind the staff table, smashing through the glass.
As he went someone in the crowd of students shouted, "COWARD!"
McGonagall turned around, waving her wand and all the torches of the dark Great Hall lit up. Students cheered but Teddy knew the fight wasn't over. He spotted his friends walking from the crowd towards him, their faces dropping when they saw his. Suddenly, there was a scream.
"Ahhhhh!"
A girl on one side of the hall had fallen to her knees, covering her ears and crying loudly. Suddenly, another girl was also covering her ears, letting out a shout of pure terror. The hall had gone quiet, then...
"I know that many of you will want to fight." Teddy realised he'd never properly heard Voldemort's voice before. It was like a snake's. Vile and hissy, and it was echoing in his head. "Some of you might even think to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour."
The speech was over almost as quick as it had begun, but it'd left everyone in the hall shaken. Some students were still covering their ears, as if that would help. All eyes were on Harry standing in the center of the crowd.
"What're you waiting for?" Someone shouted and all heads turned towards a dark haired Slytherin girl, pointing at Harry. "Someone grab him!"
From one side of the crowd, Ginny walked forward standing in front of Harry protectively. Teddy and Arkie joined, along with Hermione and Ron and the Ravenclaw boys. Soon everyone was standing around him, leaving the Slytherin's looking sour. Footsteps could be heard from the corridor outside and Flich's voice came nearer and nearer.
"Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!"
McGonagall released a loud sigh. "They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!"
"Oh," Filch stammered. "Sorry ma'am."
McGonagall stepped forward, straightening her robes. "As it happens, Mr. Filch. Your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I would like you please, to lead Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin house, from the hall."
"Exactly where is it I'll be leading 'em to, ma'am?"
McGonagall stopped to think. "The dungeons would do." The hall exploded into loud cheers. Teddy joined in with an enthusiastic clap, glancing at his father who showed a hint of a smile towards his son. Around him Terry and Freddie were yelling loudly while Leonard and Daniel did a composed clap.
"I presume you have a reason for returning, Potter." Teddy overheard McGonagall speaking to Harry. "What is it you need?"
"Time, Professor. As much as you can get me."
"Do what you have to do. I'll secure the castle." Harry turned around towards the large, double door. "Potter... It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Professor." Harry smiled then ran out of the room. The flood of students were heading out of the Hall, each one with wands in their hands. McGonagall was yelling orders behind them as the ran.
Teddy abandoned his thick, black cloak, letting it fall to the ground. He ran out of the hall, following behind Professor McGonagall. "Professor." He greeted as they walked hastily. The old witch looked up at him and he saw a sparkle in her eyes upon seeing him.
"Mr. Lupin. It's been a while."
"You too Professor."
"You've grown." She said, turning her head forwards again.
Teddy let out a half-laugh. "I guess, haven't really been paying attention to my height lately."
"Grown up, I meant." He looked down at her with a sideways smile then looked out towards the courtyard. Neville and Seamus had joined in, walking beside them. "So, what's the plan?" He asked as the speed walked.
"We must delay them. Close off all exits."
Neville had gotten a hint of what McGonagall was suggesting and gasped. "Let me get this straight, Professor... You're actually giving us permission to do this?"
"That is correct, Longbottom."
"That's blowing up! Boom!"
"Boom!" She replied enthusiastically, bringing a smile to Teddy's face once again.
"Wicked!" Neville breathed. "But how on earth are we gonna do that?"
"Why don't you confer with Mr. Finnigan? As I recall, he has a particular proclivity for pyro-technics."
Seamus trotted along beside Neville nudging him. "I can bring it down." The two ran off towards the bridge and Teddy watched them go. McGonagall slowed down her pace as she entered the courtyard, staring at the dark landscape across the river.
"Professor Flitwick. Professor Slughorn." Teddy nodded, as there was no time for a proper greeting. Flitwick barely noticed him as he ambled towards McGonagall, but Slughorn stopped for a second, looking pallid and considerably old. His high spirited, party attitude was gone. "Teddy. How've you been?" He asked, though didn't seem to be paying attention.
"Honestly," Teddy stared out at where he knew Death Eaters would be gathering on the hillside far away. "I've been better."
Flitwick fiddled with his hands anxiously beside McGonagall. "You do realize, of course, we can't keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely."
"That doesn't mean we can't delay him." She reached for her wand as she spoke. "And his name is Voldemort. Filius, you might as well use it. He's come to try to kill you, either way!" With much energy, Professor McGonagall spun around, holding both hands high. She was facing the entrance to Hogwarts, and all the stone knight statues embedded in the walls. "Piertotum Locomotor."
Crack! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
One by one, the statues were coming to life and jumping down to the ground. The army of stone marched out across the courtyard towards the large stone bridge, brandishing metal weapons. Professor McGonagall stood proudly as they marched to battle. "Hogwarts is threatened. Man the boundaries! Protect us. Do your duty to our school."
Teddy looked towards the Professor when she leaned slightly in his direction, whispering in a childish voice. "I always wanted to use that spell!"
Looking around, Teddy watched as the Professor took their spots all around the school, raising their wand hand into the air and muttering a familiar incantation. White streams of light shot up into the air and slowly a huge shield begun to form around the whole school. The sight was both beautiful and bone chilling.
The students were silent as they watched the powerful array of magic. The winter air was filled with the hum of the spell's incantation. "Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum."
Teddy barely noticed as he walked halfway down the steps, looking out into the dark sky, now bright the beginnings of the light shield. "Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum. Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum." He repeated, over and over again, watching the stream of light join the others.
"Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum."
"Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum."
"Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum."
"Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimigotum."
It was done.
And now the real battle begins.