Dumbledore Apparated him and Harry to his office. Snape was there, pacing nervously. He started as they both appeared suddenly.
"It has started?" he asked Dumbledore, who nodded, stumbling slightly.
"You knew? You bloody knew they were going to attack tonight?" yelled Harry.
Dumbledore didn't seem in the least concerned. "I knew they would attack sometime over the Christmas break, yes." He eased himself into the seat behind his desk. Snape watched him worriedly.
"What about the students who stayed? Like Malfoy," sneered Harry.
"Ah yes, most unfortunate. I did not see young Mr Malfoy coming to my defense at all. I think the news of his mother made him act rashly," sighed Dumbledore.
They were interrupted by Professor Mcgonagall. "Albus, thank Merlin you're back. The Order members are here. Kingsley wants to talk to you," she said.
Harry stalked off. "Where are you going, Harry?" asked Dumbledore, worried.
"I'm going to find my family. Don't worry, I'll be here when...the time is right," he said. Harshly.
Dumbledore and Snape stilled. Harry gave a brief nod, then left the office. The two men looked at each other, with Dumbledore almost sighing in relief. Harry knew what he had to do. That would make things a lot easier.
Mcgonagall looked between the two. "Would someone kindly tell me what the fuck is going on here?"
Neville hurried along the grounds, with Hannah and Mandy at his side. Michael Corner was ahead of him, following Luna and Lisa. Neville saw Luna stop and cover her mouth with her hand. Michael joined her, looking down.
"Don't stop, don't stop," implored Neville, feeling exposed by being out of the castle. He could see lights of spell-fire in the upper castle. He made it to the others and looked at what they were staring in horror at. "Fuck!"
It was Draco Malfoy. His twisted body lay in a heap. One leg lay at an unusual angle, as did both arms. But it was the sight of his head, caved in on one side that shocked them all. A pool of blood gathered underneath it.
"Oh my God," gasped Lisa. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"Now is not the time. Come on," yelled Hannah, grabbing Lisa's arm and dragging her away. Neville gave a last regretful look at Draco, then hurried on into the Entrance Hall.
They met up with Daphne and Astoria, who cried in relief at seeing someone they knew. "Oh Neville, thank Merlin you're here," said Daphne, hugging him tightly.
"We need to keep moving," said Hannah harshly.
"She's right," said Neville. Daphne took his hand.
"Coast is clear," said Michael, peering arund the corner and down the corridor. "Where are we headed?"
"This way," said Luna. The others followed but Neville had just seen Arthur Weasley and wanted to talk to him. "Go ahead. I'll catch up," he told Daphne.
He hurried over to the two men. "Neville, are you all right? Have you seen Ginny?" asked Arthur.
"No, I assume she's with Harry?" asked Neville. "I'm getting some students out of the school."
"Good lad," said Arthur. "Are you coming back?"
Neville nodded, and hurried away. He caught up with Hannah, Luna and the others, standing in front of a portrait of a bowl of fruit.
"Ginny told me about this one. If we tickle the pear, it will open to show us the entrance to the kitchens. From there, we can get to the Three Broomsticks. Nev, can you let Madame Rosmerta know we're coming?" asked Hannah.
Neville sent off his Patronus, letting Rosmerta know that seven students were coming through.
"Don't forget the house elves. If we're going through the kitchens, we can tell them to come with us," said Luna happily. She leaned up to tickle the pear, and the entrance appeared.
Dobby stuck his head out. "Missy Luna? You is needing Dobby's help?"
Luna led Lisa in, and gestured for Mandy and Michael to follow her. "No Dobby, I'm here to help you and your friends." Astoria followed them.
"Go, stay at the Three Broomsticks. We'll send word when it's safe to come out," said Neville.
"You're not coming too?" asked Daphne.
Neville shook his head. "I'm needed here."
Daphne flung her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. "Be careful, Nev. Please...be careful."
"Hey, I'll be fine," grinned Neville, hugging her back. He caught Hannah's stricken look. "Be safe, all of you."
He stepped back and let the portrait close. The last thing he saw was Hannah's anxious face.
Ron flooed into Professor Mcgonagall's office with his parents and Fred and George. Charlie and Hermione had already left England with her parents. Arthur had left word with Bill and Fleur.
Molly immediately bustled off to the Hospital wing to see if she was needed there. The twins went to find Sirius and Remus. They were fighting against Alecto and Amycus Carrow, and Antonin Dolohev on the fourth floor.
"Go help Kingsley. He headed upstairs. We know Macnair and Dolohov are up there,"yelled Sirius. Emmy should be there too." He blocked one of Alecto's spells and sent one back.
Fred and George hurried up the stairs. Arthur said he'd check the common rooms. Ron started to follow, but out of the corner of his eye saw Crabbe skulking around. He decided to follow him.
Crabbe met up with Goyle and they seemed to delight in destroying the school. They were shouting "Bombardo" and "Reducto" at various statues and paintings in the castle. They returned to the ground floor, where Ron thought they might be returning to their Common room. Instead, they blasted the door to the Hufflepuff common room open, and started to rifle through student's belongings, pocketing things they wanted.
Ron sent his Patronus, calling for back hid in the common room, watching as the two finished in the boy's dormitories and tried to get up to the girls. However, the charms held, and they were denied access. They were cursing when Moody and Sturgis Podmore came in. Immediately, they pulled their wands.
"Come on now, you're just young lads. Surrender your wands," ordered Moody.
"Fuck you, old man," sneered Goyle.
"Do as he says, Goyle," said Ron, standing behind the two Order members.
"Or what?" taunted Crabbe. "You can't touch us. We're underage."
"Give me your wands and come quietly, or I'll bind you," warned Moody.
"Never. Incendio,"cried Goyle. A ball of fire left his wand, immediately catching on to the couch and the rug.
Moody, Ron and Podmore stepped back in alarm. However, even Crabbe seemed alarmed at how quick the fire took over the room. The old drapes and carpets soon went up in flames.
Goyle seemed to delight in the horror he saw in the other's eyes. "Incendio. Incendio," he yelled in glee, swinging around to the staircase and the heavy drapes.
"Greg, what are you doing? We're trapped," yelled Crabbe, panicking.
Goyle looked around, stunned when he realised it was true. Ron, Moody and Podmore were close to the door-the only way out. He and Vince were further in the common room, and now appeared to be trapped in the blaze. "Help us," they cried in terror.
Moody started to use his wand to extinguish the flames. "Aguamenti. Maxima Aguamenti," he called.
Ron and Moody copied him, and the fire was soon contained. There was just one area left, near the boys. Some of the ceiling gave way.
"Get out of here," yelled Podmore, to Moody and Ron. He ventured close to the fire, holding out his hand. "Come on, boy." He gestured to Crabbe, who was closest.
"I can't," he whimpered.
Without even thinking, Podmore reached into the flames and pulled Crabbe through. Both screamed as the flames ate away at their flesh.
The ceiling groaned as the heat from the blaze rose. "We need to get out. This room is going to collapse," yelled Moody, pushing Ron towards the door.
"What about them?"coughed Ron. The smoke was still thick, and the smell was disgusting.
"I think it's too late, lad," coughed Moody, covering his mouth and nose with his shirt. Indeed, their cries had stopped.
Moody pushed Ron through the door, just as they heard a groan then an almighty crash. They heard a scream of agony, then nothing. Just the sizzling as the last of the fire continued to burn.
"Fuck," cursed Moody. "That didnt have to happen. They should have surrendered, then Podmore..." He shook his head in anger.
"They're dead. But, they're my age, and they're dead," said a shocked Ron. The adrenaline was quickly wearing off.
"No time to stop and check ID's, Sonny" snapped Moody. He cast some protection spells around the door, so no-one would get close and open the door. "Come on," he yelled to Ron.
Ginny had already been to the Hufflepuff common rooms and found Rose, Megan Jones, Justin and Ernie. They told her Hannah had found Daphne and Astoria, and was going to check on the Ravenclaw students.
Knowing she had given Hannah the information to get to the tunnels off the kitchens, Ginny decided to trust in Hannah and get the Hufflepuff students to the same tunnels. However, she saw Rockwood and Rebastan Lestrange entering the Slytherin common rooms and decided to try to get them all to the Room of Requirement. She grabbed Rose's hand and gestured for the others to follow her.
She was thankful she had memorised the Marauder's Map, remembering little short cuts and secret passage ways that enabled her to safely get them all to the sixth floor. She could hear fighting going on nearby.
"Wands out," she instructed. "Rose, stay close to Justin. If any of us get separated, try and make it to the Room of Requirement." She looked at the other two boys and indicated with her head to Rose. The older boys nodded back in understanding. Whatever happened, they would get Rose to safety.
Ginny ran out, ducking as a wayward spell shot over her head. She saw her twin brothers fighting against Rodolphus Lestrange and Macnair. She recognised him as the barbarian who had come to kill Buckbeak all those years ago.
"Gin, what are you doing here?" yelled Fred, sending a Stupefy at Macnair.
"I need to get to the Room of Requirement," she told him. "Got to get some students out."
"Go, we'll cover you down here. Just be careful. Kingsley and a few others are fighting up there,"he said.
"Harry?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"Haven't seen him," said Fred. "Duck!"
Ginny ducked down with Fred leaning over her. "Go, get out of here," he yelled, spinning to take on Dolohev.
Ginny gestured for the others to follow her. "Stay close to the wall," she ordered. It seemed to take forever but they finally made it up to the seventh floor.
Ginny could see a lot of fighting had already been done here. There was considerable spell damage to the walls and portraits. The way to the Room of Requirement looked clear. Ginny took a deep breath and signalled to the others. "Come on."
They ran down the corridor, stopping to check before going around the corner. Ginny was horrified to see a young girl laying on the ground with a man on top of her. Laying close by were two boy's body, laying still.
"No!" yelled Rose, breaking away from Justin and running down the hall.
"Rose," cried Ginny, hurrying after the young girl. Ernie and Justin followed; Justin making sure no-one came up behind them.
"Confringo," yelled Rose, just as Ginny yelled, "Stupefy." The man, Amycus Carrow, was blasted off the girl.
"It's Romilda Vane," cried Ginny, kneeling beside the girl. "Ennervate."
"Petrificas Totalis" called Ernie, as Amycus got to his feet, cluching his abdomen where Rose's spell had cut him. Immediately he froze and fell to the ground. Justin used Petrificas Totalis on him.
Romilda stirred, looking around. When her gaze fell on Ginny, she started to cry. "I just wanted to go home. I knew if I found Harry, he would take me home. I just want to go home," she cried, piteously.
To Ginny's amazement, Dennis and Colin began to stir. Ginny almost wept in relief; she had thought the two brothers were dead. "Come on, I'm getting you lot out of the school."
"Now?" asked Romilda, letting Ernie and Ginny help her up.
"Yes, now. Come on, into the Room of Requirement," ordered Ginny.
With them all thinking the same thought, the Room appeared instantly. They hurried in and the door was about to shut when Ginny heard someone call her name.
It was Harry.
Harry had left Dumbledore's office in disgust at the two men he'd left behind. His life meant nothing to them. He wanted to find Sirius and Ginny, ensure they were safe. He would try and convince Ginny to get out of here; away from the school. Sirius, well, he knew he didn't have a hope in hell of getting him to safety. Harry decided to stay close to Sirius, fight with him, so he could step in and help him if needed.
He'd found Remus and Sirius fighting against three Death Eaters, two he didn't know. He was sure they had been at the graveyard the night Voldemort returned, using his own blood. The other he recongnised as Dolohov, one of the Death Eaters who escaped from Azkaban.
Harry quickly joined in their fighting, and they were getting on top of their opponents when they sent a Flipendo spell on a big statue, causing it to topple over right in front of them. Remus and Sirius pushed Harry out of the way, and when the dust settled from the crash, their foes had already gone.
Remus growled. "I'm going after them," he said, running off.
Sirius took a deep breath and grinned at Harry. "So, what's new?"
Harry almost laughed, it was such a 'Sirius' thing to say. "Not much. You?"
Sirius slowly got up off the floor, extending a hand to Harry. "Well, now you mention it, yeah."
Harry took his hand and pulled himself up. "It's not like we've got a lot of time, but-okay. What's up?"
"We were going to tell you Christmas Day. Hell, I probably wouldn't have been able to wait that long. Emmy and me, we're married." Sirius beamed proudly.
"What?" asked Harry, dumbfounded.
Sirius nodded. "Yep. Married. Me! Crazy, huh?"
Harry shook his head. "No. No, it's not crazy. It's brilliant, that's what it is." He hugged Sirius hard.
"Really. Whew, I'm glad you feel that way. Gotta say, I was worried about your reaction. Harry?" Sirius' joy turned to concern when Harry pulled away and wiped his eyes.
Harry shook his head at Sirius' concern. "No, it's good, really. Don't mind me. Tears of joy, you know." He hugged him hard again.
Sirius laughed. "Who would've thought, huh? Me, married! I thought a lot about what Gin said. I have lost a lot of years when I was in Azkaban. Time to start really living, I reckon."
"He says in the middle of a battle," said Harry, dryly.
"Ahem. If you ladies are done with your tea and gossip, we have a battle to win," said Moody, grumpily. He hurried after Remus.
"Does Ginny know?" asked Harry, as they hurried after Moody.
Sirius shook his head. "Nah, haven't seen her."
"You know she'll take credit for this, just like she did for Remus and Tonks," grinned Harry.
Sirius shrugged. "I don't care. When this is all over she can take the piss as much as she likes."
Harry's grin faded. When this was all over, Harry wouldn't be around to see that. "Just...be happy. You and Emmy, Remus and Tonks. And promise me you'll look after Gin."
Sirius stared hard at him. "What do you-"
"Ladies! Can we discuss your feelings another time, if it's not too much RUDDY TROUBLE!" yelled Moody from down the corridor.
"Geez, not so loud," complained George. He and Fred had just come up from the floor below, and George had a bandage around his head.
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"Spell damage. Nearly lost my ear, but Mum fixed me up," grinned George.
"For a minute we thought you'd be able to tell us apart, but Fate has decreed Georgey boy not to be saintly after all," chuckled Fred.
"Saintly?" asked Sirius, exchanging a puzzled look at Harry, who shrugged.
"Holey! Get it, holey, saintly," laughed Fred, pointing to his brother's ear. George laughed too.
Moody stormed over to them, as fast as his bad leg would let him. "We are in the middle of a fucking battle. Voldemort isn't here yet, so we need to get as many of his fucking Death Eaters as we can before he gets here. They've already lost two-both Malfoys. Four if you count those kids-Crabbe and Goyle. We've lost one ourselves."
"Who?" asked Harry, concerned.
"Podmore. Good man. Tried to bloody save one of those boys. So if you're all done with your wedding talk, and your feelings and your joking, do you mind if we just get on with it," growled Moody, storming off.
Fred and George stopped joking. "He's right. Come on," said Fred. George nodded, following.
"Say, have you seen Tonks?" asked Sirius.
Harry shook his head, He began to worry. He hadn't see Tonks at all, had a brief glimpse of Emmy while ago and hadn't seen Ginny since they left Grimmauld Place.
"Think I'll go find my wife," said Sirius, running after the twins.
Harry nodded. Right now, he really needed to see Ginny.
Harry went back up to the seventh floor. He couldn't believe it when he saw Ginny straight away. She was helping Romilda up off the floor, surrounded by some other students, including Rose. Harry saw the Creevy brother's get up off the floor too. He wondered why they'd left the Room of Requirement.
"I could kill them all right now," whispered Bellatrix, from behind him. Harry spun around, his wand out. Actually, it was Dumbledore's wand, the one he had taken from Draco. It felt strong in his hand, not as good as his own, but not a bad second choice.
"You don't touch her," warned Harry.
Bellatrix cackled. "Do you love her? The blood traiter? Planning to make lots of little blood traiter babies together? Pity you won't live to do that. Neither will she."
"Shut. Up." Harry was furious.
"The Dark Lord is on his way, Potter. Better go say bye bye to your baby," she cackled. She turned and hurried away.
Harry took a deep breath. Looking over, he could see that the ones with Ginny had gone into the Room of Requirement. He ran to it, desperate to see her face again.
She was at the door as it was about to close, and seemed surprised when she saw him.
"Harry?"
Harry slipped inside, and the door shut.
"Harry!"squealed Romilda, running over and hugging him.
"Are you all alright?" asked Harry. Rose looked scared but nodded. Ernie and Justin were standing either side of the Creevy brothers, almost keeping them upright. They all nodded but Harry could see they were scared.
"Oy, Red, you coming, or what?" asked Abe Dumbledore.
They all looked up to where Abe Dumbledore stood, a portrait of a young girl opening out to the tunnel.
"Who's that?" asked Romilda, burying her face in Harry's neck.
"He's going to take us through the tunnel into Hogsmeade," said Ginny, putting an arm around Rose's shoulders. She could feel the young girl shake.
"I ain't got all day to hang around here," grumbled Abe.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," yelled a frustrated Ginny.
"Come on, Romilda," said Rose, stepping up to the older girl. "It's time to go."
"I want to go home," wept Romilda.
"We'll get you home, lass," said Abe, "but we have to go now."
"Come on, let's go," said Rose, taking one of Romilda's hands and pulling her towards Abe. Ernie and Justin were already there, hoisting Dennis and Colin up.
Ginny sighed at Harry. "I'll have to go with them, get them settled at least. Romilda's a time bomb, could go off at any minute."
Harry palmed her face with his hands and kissed her. "I love you."
Ginny pulled away. "I know. I love you too."
Harry leaned his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes. "I-I think I know what it is. The power he knows not," he told her.
"You do? That's great, right? I mean, it's something good, yeah?" asked Ginny.
Harry hesitated. "Yeah."
"Come on, Red. If yer coming, yer need to come now," called Abe impatiently.
Ginny knew something wasn't right. Harry wasn't excited, wasn't happy that he knew what he had to do. "Harry, I'm going to take the students through, then come straight back. Don't go and face Tom alone, all right? I'll be back, and I'll come too," said Ginny.
"No! No, you should stay with them They'll need you," said Harry.
"You need me. I promised you I would be there, by your side," whispered Ginny. He hugged her tight.
Ginny pulled away, his hands at her waist. This time, she palmed his face. "Don't you face him alone, all right?"
Harry kissed her. "I love you. I love you so much." He pulled her head on his shoulder, unable to look her in the eye and lie to her.
"Yeah, well, I love you more," said Ginny, pressing a kiss over his heart.
"Come on," yelled Abe.
"Go," said Harry, releasing her and stepping back.
Ginny nodded, running up to where Abe was waiting to give her a hand up. She raced to the door and looked back. Harry was standing there, watching her. "Love you,"she mouthed.
"Always," he called back.
Ginny nodded and smiled. Abe growled, grabbed her hand and pulled her out. The portrait closed and Harry was in the Room of Requirement alone.
He wanted to go get her and drag her back. No, he wanted to run away with her, far away from all this. Settle down on a little island. Australia, maybe? Nice dream, for anyone but him.
He took a last look around at the Room of Requirement. He and Ginny had made good memories here. He shook his head, what the fuck was he doing? He had a job to do, and he needed to get on with it, before any more needless lives were lost.
He went out of the Room of Requirement, and nearly bumped into Ron. "Where did you come from?" he asked, looking as the door dissolved into nothing behind them.
"What's going on? Why are you up here?" asked Harry, ignoring his question.
"Mum wanted me to check on Ginny? Have you seen her?" asked Ron.
"She's gone. Taking some students to Hogsmeade,"said Harry. They began walking downstairs, their wands out in readiness.
Suddenly they heard Voldemort's voice. He must have used the Sonorus charm, for it was heard easily all around the castle.
"Bring Harry Potter to me."