Malfoy grabbed his arm, holding him back. "Wait a minute, Potter."
Harry shook him off angrily. "What is it?" he snarled. He wasn't in the mood to talk with anyone right now, least of all Draco Malfoy.
"If you go out there, you're doing exactly what they want."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" he retorted hotly.
"We should wait for reinforcements. Members of the Order will be arriving soon to help."
Harry was in too much of a hurry to question how or why Malfoy knew this. "Even if that's true, we don't have time to just sit around here and wait. I somehow doubt that the Death Eaters will be understanding enough to hold off on killing Hermione and Colin while we're waiting for help to come."
From somewhere in the corner, he heard Dennis whimper.
Malfoy rolled his eyes and gave him a look that clearly said, "You're an idiot and I can't believe you haven't been killed yet" but in the end he said simply, "Have it your way."
Harry turned towards the rest of the group, hoping once again to convince them to stay behind where it was relatively safe. "Guys—"
But this was all the further he got before being interrupted by Ron. "Don't even think about it, mate. We're in this together, remember?" His friend's voice was shaky, but he could tell that he wasn't going to be persuaded.
The rest of the group wore similar expressions of determination, except for Ginny, whose face was more a mask of pain than anything else. She had sunken to the floor and was cradling her right arm gingerly.
"What's wrong, Ginny?"
"It's…my arm," the redhead said through clenched teeth. "I think…it's broken."
"Ginny, I want you to stay here," he ordered. "I'm sorry, but you won't be any help to us like that."
Looking very small and defeated, Ginny nodded. He had a sudden urge to go over and hold her but forced himself to stay focused. He looked at Dennis. "And I want you to stay here with her, Dennis."
"But Colin's my brother!" the second-year protested. "I want to help save him too!"
"You'll only be a burden to us," Harry said sharply, causing Dennis' lower lip to tremble dangerously. Feeling a twinge of guilt, he put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder. "Look, Dennis. I know that you want to go rescue your brother, but I need you here to protect Ginny. I promise that I'll bring Colin back. Ok?"
The boy still looked as if he was about to cry, but he finally gave a small nod.
"I'll stay here with them," George spoke up. "Mum would kill me if she found out I left Ginny."
"Alright," Harry nodded his agreement, feeling relieved that at least one older and more experienced wizard would be there if anything happened. The Weasley twins were jokesters, but he had always known that they were far more capable than they let on.
"As for the rest of you," he turned his attention back to the group, "those who want to come, follow me. But understand that you're putting your life in danger by doing so."
He made his way to the door, and this time no one tried to stop him. He was reaching for the handle when Parvati spoke. "What about the glass ball, Harry? Voldemort wants it, so don't you think it would be safer if you left it here?"
Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the orb. He stared at it for a moment before shaking his head and putting it back. "No, I'll take it just in case. I don't care what it is; if it can save Dennis and Hermione, then I'll gladly hand it over."
He flung open the door and walked out into the aisle, the remainder of their dwindling group, plus Malfoy, following close behind.
"What are you doing?" he asked the blonde-haired boy suspiciously. He still didn't know what to think about Malfoy's presence and whose side he was really on.
"I'm going with you to make sure you don't get your sorry-self killed."
"I won't be needing any help from you," Harry shot back.
Malfoy merely smirked skeptically as they hurried up the aisle.