Chapter 45
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world obviously belongs to JK Rowling and not me. Obviously.
… … … …
Harry and Leila were carefully hurtling down the corridors under the safety of the Invisibility Cloak. They were headed to the Ravenclaw common room in order to get a better idea of what the diadem looked like. This was part of her brilliant plan, or at least the one she had somewhat thrown together while she was in the Room or Requirement. Originally, she had just planned to look at the Ravenclaw Chocolate Frog Card given to her by Dumbledore, but the cards had mysteriously gone missing. So, she they had to slightly improvise this part. Luna told them that a bust of Rowena Ravenclaw with her diadem was in the common room; so, that was where they were headed. The other part of the plan included everyone else preparing for what was to come: a fight. They needed more people and supplies just in case anyone was injured. In her heart she knew that now was the time. While Harry had loudly protested to that part of the plan, in Leila's mind, it was inevitable and it couldn't hurt to be ready. They already had people willing to fight; not to mention that it was going to be nearly impossible to sneak back out into the middle of nowhere undetected. Then, when Harry and Leila returned, they'd talk strategy because at this point Voldemort's defenses were probably standing outside Hogwarts waiting for the command to attack. The only thing that scared her about everything happening so fast was the Second Prophecy running in the back of her mind. She still hadn't told Harry about it. She also felt guilty about leaving Draco in the lion's den, so to speak; but this was something she and Harry needed to do alone. For a moment, Leila stopped to catch her breath.
"Leila, we need to find the Ravenclaw common room," Harry said.
"I know," Leila breathed heavily.
"And we're wasting time because I'm not exactly sure where it is," Harry hissed.
After Leila caught her breath for a moment, she gripped Harry's wrist with her hand and took the lead.
"I know where it is, c'mon," Leila responded.
"I suppose as prefect and Head Girl, you would know where it is," Harry stated.
"That's not how I know where it is," Leila blurted.
"Then how do you know?" Harry questioned.
"You don't want to know," Leila muttered.
"Leila," Harry groaned.
"I was with a Ravenclaw…" Leila began.
"Who was he?" Harry groaned.
"It was fifth year, I was in a dark place," Leila answered.
"Leila," Harry responded.
"Eddie Carmichael," Leila groaned.
"How many blokes have you snogged?" Harry asked.
"Harry, now isn't exactly a good time for this," Leila said.
"Right. Well, if we survive this I want a list of the blokes your lips have ever come in contact with," Harry said.
"You can't be serious," Leila scoffed.
"Do I look like I'm joking right now?" Harry hissed.
Leila turned her head to find Harry looking dead-serious. She rolled her eyes and continued to lead them to Ravenclaw Tower. Cho had originally offered bring Harry up here, but Leila knew that Harry was a bit thick and didn't realize that she was showing interest in him again. Which was not a good thing especially since Ginny had been there and they hadn't left things on the best terms. Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map, and saw that Filch was a few corridors ahead of them, but he was going in the opposite direction of them. Suddenly, Leila pulled Harry's arm and led him toward a spiral staircase. Leila slipped out from underneath the Cloak as she led her brother up the dizzying stairs until they came to a door with only a bronze eagle knocker on the door. There was no door handle or even a keyhole. Harry slipped the Cloak off and turned to his sister.
"What do we do now?" Harry asked.
Leila looked to her brother before she reached out and grabbed the knocker. She knocked it once and Harry instantly tried to shush her because in the silence the knock resounded through the whole castle it seemed. Leila simply ignored her brother as the beak of the eagle opened and a soft musical voice came from it.
"If you break me I do not stop working. If you touch me I may be snared. If you lose me nothing will matter. What am I?"
Leila mulled over the question for a moment as Harry's mouth gaped open. Normally, they weren't so riddle like; but either way they had to solve this to get into the Ravenclaws common room.
"A question? Where's the bloody password?" Harry hissed.
"Ravenclaws are known for their intelligence, so there's a question," Leila responded.
"So, it's never the same?" Harry asked.
"I've never heard it ask the same question twice," Leila shrugged.
"How many times have you been in here?" Harry question.
Instead of responding to her brother's question, Leila repeated the words of the eagle's question. She closed her eyes to focus. If you break me I do not stop working. Wands stop working, Ron was proof of that. Clocks stop working. Basically anything physical stopped working once it broken. So, it must be something metaphorically speaking….
"Maybe it's…" Harry began.
"No, shut it! You were this close to getting us killed by that Sphinx fourth year," Leila hissed holding two fingers out toward Harry with very little space between them.
"As I recall, I'm the one who answered the question correctly," Harry retorted.
"Because I gave you the bloody answer," Leila groaned.
"I would've figured it out without your help," Harry hissed.
"Well, we don't have that much time right now, do we?" Leila retorted.
Harry glared at his sister for a moment before she went back to figuring out the question. If you touch me I may be snared. What can people touch, without physically touching it? Other people! And people break each other's hearts! And if you lose your heart, nothing will matter. Voldemort was a prime example of that: a heartless being only focused on power and not what truly mattered.
"Got it," Leila ginned. "A heart can be broken but will continue to work, someone can ensnare your heart if you let them in close enough to touch it, and if you lose your heart nothing will seem worthwhile."
"Well reasoned," the voice spoke.
Immediately, the door swung open. Leila grinned at Harry, who simply nodded his head before he led them into the common room. She could tell her brother was impressed by the architecture of the room; but having been in the Ravenclaws common room before, it didn't have the same effect on her now. But the first time she had been in here two years ago with Eddie Carmichael, then she had acted like Harry was currently acting. Granted, this probably was one of the most serene common rooms in Hogwarts. A domed ceiling with stars that twinkled and midnight blue carpets. Leila watched as Harry walked over to the marble bust of Rowena Ravenclaw. Sure enough, what was placed on her head was a diadem matching that of her picture, or so Leila thought. She mentally kicked herself for not knowing where those cards had gone. Suddenly, Harry began to climb up the statue.
"Harry, what the bloody hell are you doing?" Leila hissed.
"I need to get a better look at these words," Harry whispered.
Harry climbed further up the statue as Leila groaned. But suddenly, arms reached around Leila, trapping her. One arm was wrapped around her throat, choking her and making her unable to make any audible sounds while the other was snaked across her waist, keeping her pinned close. Leila tried to warn Harry, but no noise escaped her mouth. She tried to fight, but Harry was too absorbed in looking at the words. She couldn't even turn her head to see who her captor was; but whoever it was, was also waiting for Harry to take notice.
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," Harry read.
"Which makes you both pretty skint and witless," a voice cackled.
Harry whipped his head around to see Alecto Carrow standing holding Leila captive. He had spun around so fast, that he had fallen to the floor. Harry tried to draw his wand fast enough, but he was too late. The woman threw Leila to the floor, pressing her down with her foot before she pressed her stubby fingers to the Dark Mark branded on her forearm. Leila tried to reach for her wand without drawing any unwanted attention as Harry suddenly screamed and writhed from the pain of his scar. As the woman continued to cackle, Leila finally had a decent angle at the stubby woman with her wand. Leila cast a nonverbal Stunner, which caused the Carrow woman to go flying off her and crash against the glass of the bookcase. The woman, shattered glass, and books fell to the floor. Leila forced herself up and walked over to her brother and offered him her hand.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," Leila breathed.
The ceiling above them soon began to tremble. While Leila may have put Alecto Carrow in her place, the results were loud enough to wake the entire Ravenclaw house who had been sleeping in their dormitories above. Harry accepted Leila's hand to help him to his feet and quickly pulled the Invisibility Cloak back over them. It seemed at just the moment they were once again covered; Ravenclaw students, all dressed in their pajamas, flooded into their common room. Harry and Leila, under the protection of the Invisibility Cloak walked closer as gasps of shock echoed through the common room. A first year boy bravely walked right up to the Carrow woman and prodded her backside with his big toe.
"I think she might be dead!" the boy shouted in delight.
A few shouts and a roar of laughter echoed through the room until there was a firm rap on the door. Everyone inside stood frozen: the Ravenclaws, Harry and Leila, and of course, Alecto Carrow; but she was rather stunned, face down on the floor. The Carrow brother couldn't figure out the question. It was rather true that Voldemort chose many dolts as far as intelligence went. He pounded on the door demanding to be let in. He shouted for his sister. The Ravenclaw students all looked to each other, with frightened looks on their faces, especially when multiple loud bangs were fired at the door. This man would stop at nothing.
"ALECTO!" the man screamed. "If he comes, and we haven't got the Potters—d'you want to go the same way as the Malfoys?"
The man continued to fire spells and scream at the door. The Ravenclaws were slowly backing away and retreating back up the staircase and to their beds. But Leila's thoughts immediately turned to Amycus' last statement: the same way as the Malfoys. While she couldn't say that she really cared what happened to Lucius, she did rather like Narcissa. Were they dead? How would this affect Draco? But her thoughts were interrupted by Harry drawing his wand once again.
"Harry!" Leila hissed.
"I blast the door open now and then you stun him," Harry said.
But before Leila could respond to Harry's command another, more familiar voice spoke from behind the door which caused Harry to slightly lower his wand. Professor McGonagall stood behind the door! Amycus Carrow explained to Professor McGonagall that he was trying to get inside, only in much more vulgar terms. He demanded that she answer the question, to which she did; but you could practically hear the coldness coming from her voice as she spoke. After Professor McGonagall correctly answered the question and the door flung open, the few remaining Ravenclaws instantly fled the common room and headed back for their dormitories. Knowing that Amycus was bounding across the threshold, Leila closed her eyes momentarily and clung to her brother under the Invisibility Cloak until a blood-curdling scream filled the room.
"What have they done to her, the little whelps?" Amycus screamed. "I'll Cruciate the lot of 'em till they tell me who did it! And what's the Dark Lord going to say? We haven't got 'em and they've gorn and killed her!"
"Honestly, you think you'd be able to tell she's only Stunned," Professor McGonagall said impatiently. "She'll be perfectly all right."
"No, she bloody well won't!" Amycus bellowed. "Not after the Dark Lord gets a hold of her. She's gorn and sent for him. Now he thinks we've got the Potters!"
"The Potters? What do you mean, got the Potters?" Professor McGonagall asked, with worry tainting her voice.
"We was told they might show up in Ravenclaw Tower. And if we caught them, to send for 'im," Amycus said haughtily.
"Why would they come to Ravenclaw Tower? Harry Potter belongs to my House and Leila good as belongs," Professor McGonagall said proudly.
"Always knew I liked her," Leila whispered.
Leila's hands flew over her mouth when she realized that she had said that aloud. Professor McGonagall's eyes seemed to scan the room. Several times she looked past the spot where Leila and Harry stood, guarded by the Invisibility Cloak. For a few moments, there was nothing but silence in the room until Carrow began to plot.
"We can push it off on the kids," Amycus began. "We'll say they ambushed her. They forced her to press her Mark and that's what he got the false alarm. He can punish those good for nothing kids. Couple of kids more or less, what's the difference?"
"Only the difference between truth and lies, courage and cowardice," Professor McGonagall said. "Something you and your sister are incapable of seeing. So let me make myself crystal clear: you are not going to pass off any of your ineptitudes on my students. I shall not permit it."
"It's not a matter of what you'll permit. Your time's up McGonagall. Either you back me up or you'll pay the price," Carrow hissed.
Amycus then took a step closer to Professor McGonagall and spat in her face. Leila could feel the entire weight of the Invisibility Cloak as Harry escaped from underneath with his wand drawn.
"You shouldn't have done that," Harry said angrily.
Carrow quickly turned around, but before he could properly respond, Harry cast a Cruciatus Curse on the man. The older man writhed in pain until his body crashed through the glass bookcases just like his sister before him. The glass shattered as the man collapsed unconscious on the floor with the bookcase and books falling on top of him.
"I see what Bellatrix meant," Harry breathed heavily. "You've got to mean it."
"Potter!" Professor McGonagall whispered as she took a step back, clutching at her heart. "You're here? What? How?"
"I'm here too," Leila said as she removed the Invisibility Cloak from her body. "I knocked out Alecto."
"This was very foolish of both of you to come," Professor McGonagall said sternly.
"Professor McGonagall, Voldemort's on the way," Harry said.
"You must flee! You both must get as far away from here as quickly as you can," Professor McGonagall said.
"We can't we…" Harry began.
But Harry was interrupted by a voice echoing through the castle.
"All students and staff will report to the Great Hall immediately."
Leila looked to her brother.
"Go," Professor McGonagall commanded.
"But Professor…" Leila began.
"Get out of here! Snape will surely be here any moment to check on his companions," Professor McGonagall said sternly.
Harry looked ready to argue with Professor McGonagall; but Leila yanked him by the arm. Leila practically dragged her brother out of the common room. She turned around once to see Professor McGonagall tying-up the Carrows before she stepped out of the Ravenclaw common room. Harry took the Invisibility Cloak from Leila's hands.
"Leila, we're not leaving!" Harry hissed.
"I never said we were. We're only making her think we are," Leila explained. "Besides, I think phase two is about to commence."
"Brilliant, that's brilliant," Harry exclaimed.
"Well, give me the Map and you send out the message," Leila said.
Harry handed over the Marauder's Map to Leila as he tapped a message out onto his fake Galleon. As Leila opened the map she could see Snape heading straight up the spiraling staircase for them. Leila hissed for Harry to get under the Cloak, which he reluctantly did. Harry wanted to take on Snape right then and there, but Leila got them down the stairs and quickly redirected them out of the path of Snape to avoid any chances of confrontation. She knew they were going to have to confront Snape eventually, but she'd prefer to have a little more back-up. The last time she and Harry had tried to confront Snape, things hadn't gone so well. Leila would feel a little safer about things with other ready to come to their defense.
"Where is he?" Harry hissed.
"Looks like he's in the Ravenclaw common room," Leila said.
"We missed him? How?" Harry questioned.
"I did that on purpose," Leila said.
"Why would you do that? What about Professor McGonagall?" Harry furthered.
"She's in the dormitories," Leila said, only answering the second question.
"We need to go back up there," Harry said.
"No, it will ruin my plan," Leila stated.
"You have a plan?" Harry questioned.
"Yeah, so put this on," Leila said.
As they walked, Leila dug through her beaded bag and pulled one of her Slytherin robes out of it. She handed it to Harry who looked at it in disgust.
"I'm not wearing this," Harry said.
"Just put the bloody thing on," Leila said.
"Why?" Harry questioned.
"Because we're going to the Great Hall with the rest of the students. We need to blend in," Leila explained.
"But Slytherin…" Harry began.
Leila stopped and rolled her eyes. She quickly pulled the thing out of Harry's hands before she drew her wand. She transfigured the emerald color on the robe to a ruby red.
"Happy?" Leila asked.
"There's still a snake on it," Harry muttered.
Leila raised an eyebrow at her brother who responded by slipping the robe over his clothes.
"So go over this plan again," Harry said.
"They're going to march to the Great Hall and we're going to join them, not much simpler than that," Leila said.
"But…" Harry began.
"Just trust me on this, please," Leila said.
Harry nodded his head in agreement as Leila pulled out another one of her Hogwarts robes and threw it over her body. Leila maneuvered them through the empty corridors of Hogwarts until the pounding sound of footsteps drew nearer and nearer as they waited at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. The Gryffindors were soon marching right past them. Leila made eye contact with Ginny and pushed Harry toward her, but Harry resisted.
"What about you?" Harry asked.
"I'll meet you in there," Leila said.
"No, I'm not going without you," Harry said.
"What about trusting me?" Leila asked.
"I've already lost you once," Harry began.
"But I'm not that same scared girl you lost…unless Bellatrix shows up. Then you'll hear me wailing bloody murder," Leila said.
"Leila, I'm serious," Harry said.
"So am I, now go," Leila responded.
Harry looked at his sister with slight reluctance before he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a hug. He pressed a kiss against the top of her head and handed her the Invisibility Cloak. Leila attempted to give him the Cloak back, but he told her that she needed it more than he did at the moment. He gave her arm a slight squeeze before he practically ran over to meet Ginny. Leila saw that they entwined their hands together which made Leila's heart slightly pang with jealousy. Draco was still with the other Order members…with Fred. But she didn't need someone to be strong for her or make her strong. She could do this all on her own. In the corner of her eye, she could see the Carrows angrily storming down the stairs. Snape must have revived them when he was back in the Ravenclaw common room and they were clearly out for blood. Leila quickly got out of their sight and hid in the broom closet under the stairs. Soon the Slytherins began to march past the broom closet, Leila carefully left the door slightly ajar and waited for a familiar blonde to pass by. Thankfully, the blonde she was looking for was marching on the same side of the corridor as the broom closet.
"Daphne," Leila hissed. "Daphne."
Daphne looked around curiously before she moved out of the way and bent down to tie her shoe. Daphne stood right near the opening of the door, pretending to tie her shoes.
"Who is it?" Daphne questioned.
"Leila, who else?" Leila hissed.
"Oh thank Merlin, I've been so worried," Daphne muttered. "First you and Draco didn't come back and then Theo.."
"Greengrass, what do you think you're doing?" Pansy Parkinson interrupted.
"Tying my shoe, what does it look like?" Daphne sneered.
Pansy eyed the open door. Thankfully, Leila had just enough time to throw the Invisibility Cloak over her body before Pansy flung the door to the broom closet wide open. Leila tried to control her ragged breathing, so Parkinson wouldn't have the chance to find her. Pansy slammed the door shut.
"You and I both know why we're coming down here," Pansy hissed.
"And I've been with you in our dormitory the entire time; so clearly I'm the one behind the Potter's being here," Daphne hissed back.
Pansy looked down to Daphne who still knelt to the ground with her shoe untied.
"Tie your bloody shoe," Pansy hissed.
The pug-faced Slytherin girl walked away as both Daphne and Leila breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close," Daphne breathed. "You really shouldn't be here."
"So I've been told; but we need to talk," Leila whispered.
Daphne stood up after tying her shoe and looked around the corridor as the younger Slytherin students began to march by. Trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, Daphne opened the door to the broom closet again and slipped inside. Daphne and Leila flung their arms around each other.
"What's going on?" Daphne asked.
"It's starting," Leila said.
"What's starting?" Daphne questioned.
"Everything," Leila said.
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.
"Daphne, I know you're in a difficult situation especially with your mother on his side; but you need to choose a side," Leila said.
"You can't expect me to make a decision like that," Daphne gasped.
"I'm sorry that's it's come to this; but You-Know-Who's on his way and I can almost guarantee there will be a fight. Either you're on his side or mine," Leila explained.
"Leila," Daphne groaned.
"I think Dumbledore said it best end of fourth year, 'we must choose between what is right and what is easy.' I know that it isn't black and white for you, but there is clear difference between right and easy. You just need to decide that once we leave this broom closet if we're going to be allies or enemies," Leila said.
"And if I don't choose?" Daphne asked.
"I think you know the answer to that," Leila stated.
Leila threw the Invisibility Cloak back over her body and slightly opened the door.
"Leila!" Daphne called.
Leila pulled the Cloak off her face and turned around.
"A—are you sure You-Know-Who's coming?" Daphne asked.
"Quite positive," Leila answered, nodding her head.
The shorter Slytherin threw the Invisibility Cloak over her head once again and headed into the hall, catching up with the beginning of the Hufflepuffs who were heading into the Great Hall. Leila walked beside the Hufflepuffs under the Cloak. She breathed a slight sigh of relief when she noticed Harry practically hiding behind Ginny; but she doubted the Carrows would spot him. Leila looked up to the front of the Great Hall where the Carrows stood, with blood-thirsty scowls on their faces. She turned to watch Daphne straggle into the Great Hall followed by Snape with his cloak billowing behind him. Without even looking at any of the students, Snape made his way to the front of the Great Hall. Leila scanned the faces of the students, most looked confused or scared; except for most of the Slytherins who just looked pissed off. Snape stood with his back to them for a moment, before he turned around in his normally creepy manor.
"Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you at this hour. It's come to my attention that earlier this evening, Harry and Leila Potter were sighted in Hogsmeade and maybe in this very castle," Snape began.
The crowd erupted in whispers and gasps, but Snape sharply continued.
"Now," Snape growled. "Should anyone, student or staff, attempt to aid the Potter twins they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression…"
Leila looked up to find Professor McGonagall looking away with her face slightly paled. Why weren't the Carrows pointing out that Professor McGonagall helped them?
"Furthermore, any person found to have knowledge of these events, who fails to come forward will be treated as equally guilty," Snape continued.
Alecto Carrow laughed her maniacal laugh as she shot a Cruciatus Curse at a first year Hufflepuff. The child screamed in pain until she released. Leila moved to clasp her hands over her ears, but something inside her stopped her from doing so.
"Now then, if anyone here has any knowledge of the Potters movements this evening; I invite them to step forward…now," Snape drawled.
Everyone in the Great Hall stood silent for several moments as what was building up in Leila bubbled over. She ripped the Invisibility Cloak off her body and walked into the open walkway.
"I might have some knowledge on that, Headmaster," Leila shouted.
Gasps once more erupted from the Hogwarts students as Harry too stepped out into the walkway beside Leila. The twins joined hands.
"It seems, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies; you still have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster," Harry spat.
At the end of Harry's speech, the Great Hall doors flung open to reveal the Order of the Phoenix members stepping forward: Kingsley Shacklebolt, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fleur Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Remus Lupin, Oliver Wood, and Draco Malfoy. Leila's heart slightly swelled with pride noting the platinum blonde standing there.
"How dare you stand where he stood!" Harry hissed.
Snape locked eye contact with Leila and almost immediately her head began to swim. She felt like she was going to fall backwards from the dizziness.
"Tell them how it happened that night!" Harry continued.
Are you intending to let him kill you? Would you like me to do it now? Leila's breathing began to grow more ragged the longer she looked at Snape. It seemed like he was trying to get into her head; but the bastard should know better. He was the one who taught her Occlumency in the first place.
"Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed him. Tell them!" Harry hissed.
Snape tore his gaze away from Leila, which caused her to take a sharp breath. He immediately drew his wand and pointed it at Harry. Still feeling a little light-headed, Leila drew her wand too; but Professor McGonagall intervened and pushed Leila and Harry back a few steps with her wand drawn. The crowd pushed themselves against the walls, making room for Professors McGonagall and Snape to duel; but Snape looked hesitant to do so. For a moment it looked as if he was about to lower his wand; but Leila noticed him glance slightly behind him before he pulled his wand back up. By this point, Harry and Leila stood behind Professor McGonagall with their wands drawn, as well as the Order members who were right behind the Potter twins. Professors Flitwick and Sprout moved to stand beside Professor McGonagall.
"You'll do no more murder at Hogwarts!" Professor Flitwick squeaked.
Professor McGonagall aimed the first spell, which Snape easily deflected. He looked almost shocked for a moment before McGonagall began rapid-firing spells at him; all of which he could quickly deflect. It seemed as if McGonagall was backing Snape up into a corner with the Carrows the more they dueled. When Professors Flitwick and Sprout began to add their own spells into the duel, Snape deflected them, causing them to directly hit the Carrows. The Carrows collapsed once more to the floor. Then with a swish of his wand, Professor Snape flew from the Great Hall through the stained glass windows in a smoke of black and no broom. Leila's mouth gaped open. The only other person, if you could call him that, she knew to be able to fly without a broom was Voldemort.
"Coward! COWARD!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
It seemed as if it was only a brief second before most of the student body erupted into cheers as Professor McGonagall lit the lights in the Great Hall.
"I thought I told you both to leave?" Professor McGonagall said.
"Since when have we been ones for listening?" Leila grinned.
But before Professor McGonagall could respond, Harry collapsed onto the floor holding his scar. Leila knelt down to her brother, who tried to push her away. Suddenly, screams began to echo through the Great Hall. Leila's head too began to throb, so she closed her eyes tightly when a high, cold, and clear voice began to echo through the room. Leila's eyes locked with Draco's as he too held his hands over his ears. As the voice rang through the hall, Leila walked closer to Draco.
"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise; but this is folly. 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. Give me the Potters and none shall be harmed. Give me the Potter twins and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me the Potters and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
By this point, Leila was standing beside Draco. Harry quickly walked up to them as the crowd cleared. Every head was turned toward them and watching them intently. Just then Pansy Parkinson began to shriek from the group of Slytherins. She was standing with Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle. Draco slightly stiffened.
"But they're right there! The Potters are right there! Someone grab them!" Pansy shrieked.
Suddenly, people began to surround them. Draco moved Leila behind him and stood at the head of the group surrounding the Potters. Order members as well as Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students stood beside Draco, protecting the Potters.
"You'll have to get through us first," Draco said.
Pansy sneered at Draco, when shouts could be heard from the corridor. Leila looked out the door where the familiar screech was coming from.
"Students out of bed! Students out of bed!" Filch shouted.
Argus Filch came limping into the Great Hall carrying Mrs. Norris. The Order moved away for him to get through as he stopped, separating Draco and Leila.
"Students in the corridor!" Filch shouted.
"They're supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot," Professor McGonagall groaned.
"Oh," Filch said. You could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Sorry ma'am."
"As it happens, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune," Professor McGonagall began. "If you would please, lead the students…"
"I'm of age!" Ernie Macmillan shouted.
"Lead the students who are underage as well as Miss Parkinson and the Slytherins to the…" Professor McGonagall began again.
"The Room of Requirement," Draco interrupted.
Professor McGonagall looked at Draco for a moment before she groaned and started again.
"Lead them from the hall to the Room of Requirement. Any other interruptions?" Professor McGonagall furthered.
Everyone stood there silently for a moment, until Mr. Filch began to lead the student out of the Great Hall. All the Slytherins, except Draco and Leila exited from the Great Hall. But a good number of Ravenclaws, even more Hufflepuffs, and half of Gryffindor remained in the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall attempted to clear the underage Gryffindors from the Great Hall before she walked up to Harry and Leila.
"I assume there's a reason you two came back," Professor McGonagall said.
"We're working on Dumbledore's orders," Leila responded.
"Dumbledore? What is it you need?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"We need the bloody diad…" Harry began.
"Time, we need as much time as you can give us," Leila interrupted.
"That'll work too," Harry said.
"We'll secure the castle," Professor McGonagall nodded. "I know I may not have seemed too happy to see you both before, but it is good to see you."
Leila grinned at Professor McGonagall as she moved back to the Gryffindors to clear Creevey and Peakes from the Great Hall. Everything seemed to be in mass chaos as students fled from Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix prepared to protect the school. Kingsley warned them that they had one hour until midnight struck. One hour until either Harry turned himself over to Voldmort or Voldemort began his attack. Leila stood there for a moment seemingly lost in it all. This was really happening: and she still hadn't told Harry. Told her brother about that bloody second prophecy. But her brother had one thing on his mind: the Horcrux. Without even warning her, he ran from the Great Hall in search of it. Leila quickly chased after him, not even noticing Draco calling her name behind her. Draco stopped suddenly and watched Leila run out of the Great Hall, when someone joined him and patted him on the shoulder. Draco turned his head to see a tall ginger standing beside him.
"She knows what she's doing," Fred Weasley said.
"That's what scares me," Draco muttered.
"You worry about keeping you alive," Fred said seriously. "We need all the people on our side that we can get. Getting yourself killed won't help us any."
Fred turned to walk away.
"Weasley," Draco called.
Fred turned around toward Draco, before Draco took a few steps closer to him. Draco looked to be fighting what he was about to say.
"Promise me that if something happens to me, you'll look after her for me," Draco said.
"As long as you'll do the same for me," Fred nodded.
"Yeah, of course," Draco nodded.
"Good, now that we got that settled...let's go protect the castle and make sure we don't have to keep our end of that promise," Fred said.
Draco nodded his head. Even though he knew Leila was running into the thick of things, he felt a little relief knowing that if something happened to him at least Leila wouldn't be left alone. She would at least have someone she loved looking after her. Someone he could trust to look after her and love her. The people began to whir around him.
"Malfoy, you coming?" Fred questioned.
Draco shook his reverie off and nodded at Fred. He followed after the ginger into what was probably going to be an endless night.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, for some reason this chapter really made me nervous and I was slightly avoiding the inevitable. But here it is! What'd you think of the Fred/Draco scene? Thanks for all of you who have supported this story! It's truly amazing!
Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape: Why so Severus? Lol. I once listed fluent sarcasm as one of my languages…haha.
TheEvilPinkCupcake: I hope this chapter was worth the wait! I'm super excited that you're elated for them!
Fantasy-Mania31: I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter…even if it lacked Draco for the most part, but I think the last scene made of for a lack of him.
Nadi: That's so cool that you're trying to get a book published! I'm only good at manipulating writing…as the reason why I'm writing fanfiction…anything that is original I am simply awful at! Good luck writing!
AbominableSnowman23: I'm glad you like it! I didn't think that they'd all accept Draco right away. And I loved Mrs. Weasley's scenes too. :)
xXMizz Alec VolturiXx I'm glad that you remembered…haha. It really flatters me that you liked the chapter. I didn't think they'd all realistically accept Draco right away seeing as he was a prick to them for how many years? Theo will be coming…you'll just have to wait to see what ending he gets. Haha.
Lizzy M: Congratulations on being the 1000th review! Thanks for that! I'm glad that you got back to reading! I'm also flattered that you like my writing. But this really has been an emotional roller coaster to write…knowing that it's going to end soon. Haha.
Dream lighting: Who modified them? Take a look back at Chapter 26…I'm pretty sure that should help some. Thanks for the review!
LeilaxDraco Fan: I'm so excited I reached 1000 reviews! Makes me feel kinda accomplished. Your compliments were well received. :D I really wanted to make it seem realistic that Draco journeyed with them. I think they've all come to accept Malfoy as part of the team. Thanks for the review as always…always look forward to your reviews.
Hollis Annalise: Thanks so much for the reviews and the PM. They really mean a lot to me. I'm so glad that you found my little story and enjoyed it. It's a movie in my mind…want admission? Haha. I'm also flattered that you'll seen how far I've come with my writing. It really has come a long way and I sometimes cringe looking back…haha.
xxxRena: I'm glad that you loved it! Hope you like this one as well!
Marlene: I'm glad you liked this chapter. I wanted to show that just because Draco is part of the team doesn't make him flawless….and it's sweet that you think I have a wonderful personality. :P I'm shy until I get to know someone…then I'm me. (best way to describe it…haha) Thankfully on the internet, I don't really have to be my usual shy self at first.
Luli Cullen: Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you liked it!
RHatch89: I didn't mean to come off mean…I realize that sometimes what's written doesn't always translate the way my head intended it to. I was only asking because if you hadn't, you'd be able to find more Leila…but you have, so now you have to wait for me to update. :P Thanks for the review!
Guest: Polygamy…I know, Draco/Leila/Fred…too bad. Hopefully, it'll get a satisfying ending though.
Nack3490: There wasn't much Draco/Leila interaction this chapter, but their story is continuing…how will it change things?
XxShadowhunterxX: I don't mind you sounding childish :P It makes me giggle. I don't mind if your reviews are late, really…besides, it gives me motivation to get my butt in gear to finalize things. As far as the Draco/Leila/Fred triangle…it will be resolved, for good soon. As much as I love Leila with Fred…in my heart I know she belongs with Draco. But I can't give too much away if that will happen or not. :P I'm glad you think I'm like Jo…I'll probably never be famous at anything, but it's nice to know there's a fan out there. :D
Nikki-W94: I'm glad that you like finding my updates! There wasn't much interaction between the three of them this chapter…but things are beginning to fall more into place.
CasperGirl523: I'm glad that you found my little stories! I'm really humbled that you like them. Sorry the update is a little later than normal!
Alyssa103: I'm sorry I made you cry that chapter…I also cried when writing it. I lost my mom when I was nine, so it kinda was what I would want to talk to my mom about. I don't mind your rambling. I'm glad you found my stories and I appreciate the review. :D
Amber Rose Black: Thanks for the review!
Spazzykinns: I'm glad that you've found my little stories, but should I be apologizing for keeping you at your computer? Haha. So glad you like them and thanks for the review! I appreciate it! Here's the next chapter.
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