A/N: I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.
Here's some info you should know:
-There will be plenty of OCs simply due to the nature of this story...Despite this I profile all of my characters to avoid Mary Sues or Gary Stus. Everyone has good points and bad points. Don't worry.
-With this story I plan to take the war against Voldemort to a global level to the point I might have to throw the Statute of Secrecy out the window with the devastation I cause.
-I cannot guarantee the survival of any named character or any actual J.K. character. This is war and sometimes you've got to let the good guys lose a friend. I cannot even guarantee the survival of Ron, Hermione and Harry.
-For the known couples that J.K. has told us...Those will be the couples of the story. Sorry if you are a fan otherwise, but I happen to like who she chose for who.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER!
The Escape
"I'm telling you headmaster," Professor Snape said trying to keep his calm. "Potter is up to something."
"Yes, and I agree with you Severus," Professor Dumbledore reminded him from behind his desk. "However, I do not see why you are worried."
"The boy is reckless! He's probably planning to do something really stupid!" Professor Snape reminded the headmaster.
"Once again I agree...Unfortunately, I have learned quite well that it is impossible to stop Harry from doing what he wants to do," Professor Dumbledore said with a sigh. "You can guide and hamper his progress as much as possible, but in the end he will always reach what he wants to do."
"So, you'll just let him?" Snape asked bitterly.
"You can double your efforts in the patrols if you must, but you know as well as I do that Harry has instruments in his possession to get around you," Professor Dumbledore explained carefully.
"You could take them away," Professor Snape pointed out.
"I could, but I loathe to do so...I have harmed the trust between Harry and myself. Should I take them away he may no longer trust me, and if we are to win this war it would be best if we are on the same side," Professor Dumbledore told his potion's professor sternly. "Not to mention with the war coming out in the open those instruments may be some of the keys to keep him alive."
"Fine," Professor Snape grumbled. "I will however double my efforts to stop the foolish boy."
"Very well," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, and neither of them noticed the flesh colored string retracting around the corner.
"We better tell Harry about this..." A boy said to his companion.
"He'll know what to do," his female companion agreed and they hurried off to the seventh floor. "I wish we could use the mirrors..."
"That would make things easier," Ritche Coote, fourth year Gryffindor, agreed, "but we both forgot them! Hermione's going to be mad about that, you know!"
"Yeah well I wouldn't have had any problems if it wasn't for my dorm mate, Ruby Quartz." Ginny scowled. "She kept trying to get a look at mine, Victoria and Demelza's lockets that we ended up having to lock them up in the trunk."
"Yeah well James Switch nearly stole mine, so I had to lock it away too!" Ritche retorted. "I can't believe I forgot to grab before listening in on the professors...I can't believe we messed up the first mission Harry gave us! A Quidditch prodigy like Harry deserves better than me!"
Ginny rolled her eyes at that...Ritche was as obsessed with Quidditch as Oliver Wood was. He doesn't even care that Harry is the Boy-Who-Lived; he only cares about how great a Seeker Harry is. Harry liked that, but it annoyed Ginny to no end. "Whatever..."
"Are the two of you just going to stand there or what?" The Fat Lady asked with an annoyed tone.
"Oh, sorry. Mimbulus Mimbletonia," Ginny said immediately and the Fat Lady swung open with a huff.
"Oh there you are Ginny, Ritche," Harry said nervously. "Why didn't you just call in?"
The two looked at each other guiltily. "Well Harry...we sort of did have out lockets on us..." Ginny admitted with a blush.
"What? Why would you take them off?" The two quickly explain and Harry nods. "Well make sure you have it on tonight, alright?"
"Of course," the two chorused.
"Great now, what's your update?"
"Snape's going to be on double duty tonight," Ritche explained.
"I expected that...He never did trust me after all." Harry smiled ruefully. "Ron and Hermione told me that Filch is going out for blood tonight, so we'll have to be on the lookout for him. Ernie and Susan reported that Sprout and the Astronomy professor, Sinistra, will be keeping reign all night by the kitchen, so all food we plan to bring must happen before dinner...I've got Angela and Charlotte Montgomery on kitchen duty, so don't worry. Terry Boot and Michael Corner have reported that Flitwick will be keeping watch by Ravenclaw's tower...No, Ravenclaw will be able to return and no going to pick them up, understand?"
The two nodded. "Good, the Ravenclaws have made these bags that are undetectable along with Hermione. Make sure you give them your stuff, so you won't have to worry about carrying anything. I've received reports from Katie and her friend Leanne Laughland that McGonagall is going to be monitoring the classrooms, so no ducking into them. Corridors and passages only. The Muggle Studies professor, Professor Burbage, along with the Arithmancy professor, Professor Vector, will be guarding the front gate, so I've set up plans with Eloise Midgen and Kristina Bundy to slip them a sleeping draught at dinner."
"How are you going to pull that off?" Ginny asked skeptically.
"Eloise and Kristina are going to give it to Dobby who will slip it into the food," Harry explained. "Adrian Pucey brewed it...He told me it is a delayed potion, so it take a few hours to work. That's beneficial to us as we won't be making the escape until two in the morning. It will be up to Eloise and Kristina to stay nearby and continue to feed the two teachers a quicker potion every hour until we're all out...This is essential as we can't have them waking up."
"Well, that's one worry taken care of," Ritche muttered appreciatively.
"Lavender and Parvati have reported that Trelawney will be guarding the Divination Tower as her 'Inner Eye' told her someone will escape up there." The three snorted. "Firenze will be patrolling the first floor...We have to be careful around him since the stars really could have told him we'll be around there. I've received word from Padma that the Ancient Runes professor, Professor Babbling, will be guarding all of the known secret tunnels out of the school. Do NOT try to escape through them as Babbling has set up some traps and wards there."
"No secret tunnels got it!" Ginny mock saluted.
"Take this seriously Ginny or we're leaving you behind!" Harry barked.
"Sorry, Harry..."
"Right, now where was I...? Oh yeah, I've gotten word from Justin Finch-Fletchley that Professor Binns won't be involved in the patrols. Also, according to Jimmy Peakes, Madam Pince will be on look out through the library. Madam Hooch will be watching the flying grounds and Quidditch Pitch according to Roger Davies, so get your broom before curfew or risk leaving it behind."
Ginny and Ritche winced at the idea of leaving their brooms behind. "Madam Pomfrey will be keeping eye on the Hospital Wing of course, so no worry there...I think that's it," Harry said reviewing his notes.
"How are we going to keep look out for the teachers?" Ritche asked with a raised eyebrow. "I mean I know we'll be pretty much invisible, but they might still hear us walk and stuff..."
Harry and Ginny shared a look and then smirked. "With this of course!" Harry said showing a blank piece of paper.
"A spare piece of parchment?" Ritche asked confused.
"A spare bit of parchment he says!" Ginny giggles. "No, Ritche this is why it was so hard for Umbridge to catch us!"
"Huh?"
"Let me show you, Coote," Harry said as he tapped the paper. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."
Ritche could only watch in amazement as the piece of parchment slowly gained designs and was that names...? "Is...Is that us?" He asked when he saw his name. "And, is that Professor Dumbledore with Professor Snape in the dungeons?"
"Ritche, may I present you the Marauder's Map," Harry said with a flourish. "My dad and his school friends made it back in the day...It shows where everyone is in the castle up to a little bit of the Forbidden Forest."
"Bloody hell," Ritche could only whisper in amazement.
"Ron, Hermione and I are going to be the last ones to leave, so we'll be coordinating everyone's movements," Harry explained. "We'll be leaving in groups...If your roommates give you a hard time, hex them. Make sure they don't make a noise. This is essential."
"Aye aye!" The two saluted before walking off.
"Good that's one problem solved," Harry said thoughtfully as he opened his locket. "Neville Longbottom."
"Harry?" Neville asked as he opened his locket and boy did he look like he's going to barf.
"You alright Neville?" Harry asked concerned.
"I...just don't like the Knight Bus..." Neville said as the bus turned sharply.
"You got your wand though?"
"Yeah, I managed to convince Gran that I needed it because we were practicing dueling," Neville assured him. "She's been quite proud of me since the Department of Mysteries...Been telling me that I'm finally living up to my parents' names."
"Speaking of your Gran, where is she?"
"Oh, she Apparated home, I'm having the bus take right up to Hogwarts is all," Neville explained. "Gran's terrible at side-along Apparition, so she had me take the Bus instead."
"Okay, see you in a few Neville."
Like always when Harry was planning something, time seemed to just breeze on by. Before he knew it, it was time for the escape. It was probably the most foolhardy thing he will ever try in his life, but it's time to go. Harry opened his locket and said, "Everyone."
The mirror glowed blank white like Hermione explained it would when so many people tried to use it at once...They could still hear him. "Everyone, it's time. Angela, Charlotte, did you get enough food?" Harry asked.
"Enough to feed Ron Weasley—"
"—for two months!"
"Good," Harry said ignoring Ron's offended face. "Eloise, Kristina, did the teachers drink the draught?"
"Yes, we saw it personally," Eloise whispered.
"Alright," Harry said pleased. "Finally, did everyone give their stuff to the Ravenclaws and Hermione?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then Eloise, Kristina you two go first. The two of you will wait by Burbage and Vector until everyone else passes through. I will tap your shoulders when it's time to go."
"Okay," Eloise and Kristina agreed.
The two tip-toed out of their dormitory as quietly as possible only to discover that there was someone down there already: Danny Stebbins.
"You two prepared?" The sixth year prefect asked as he handed them the bags with the Sleeping Draught." I'm going out with the other prefects to help patrol...Unfortunately, none of the fifth year prefects will be out to help since its well known by the teachers they were in the D.A., so they won't be able to help you. Keep your locket open...Harry will give you specific instructions whether you can go or not."
"Thanks Danny," Kristina said gratefully.
"Come on Kris, we've got to go!" Eloise whispered imploringly.
"Huh? Oh right..." The twin slowly walked to the portrait hole.
"Kristina, Eloise! Stop!" Harry whispered through the locket. "Spout's passing by, so give it a second...Okay; she's rounded the corner by the kitchens so you can go."
The two of them slowly did the Disillusionment Charm and opened the portrait hole. With swift steps, they hurried up the steps to the ground floor. "Freeze! Fawcett's passing by!" Harry told them swiftly. "Duck into the passage to your right."
The two did it quickly and waited with bated breath as Samantha Fawcett walked by with a bit of a snooty air. They waited about three minutes before Harry told them they could go. Luckily, there were no more problems all the way to the gates where Burgbage and Vector were sleeping peacefully. Eloise stood by Burbage and Kristina by Vector. "We're in position, Harry," Eloise reported. "The teachers are out cold."
"Good work you two," Harry praised. "Team two, it's time to go."
"We're ready to go," Damien Urquhart reported stoically with Angela and Charlotte.
"Okay, there are no prefects nearby or teachers so you're free to go," Harry told them and the three quietly snuck out the hole and allowed the wall to close behind them. The last thing they needed was some suspicious house mates mucking everything up. Once they were out of the common room they cast the Disillusionment Charm and headed out.
"We've got to get past Snape's office before we get out of here, so you better be quiet," Damien whispered seriously. "We have no idea if he has some detector or something around it."
"Go right instead of up," Harry whispered. "The dead end at the wall can actually be pushed out and can take you right to the staircase out of the dungeons, so you don't need to pass Snape's office at all."
"Did I ever tell you I love that map of yours Potter?" Angela asked. "Because I really do..."
The three sixth year Slytherins hurried down the hall. "Wait! Tickle the portrait of Phoebe the Ticklish...Peeves is about to come past you and he'd enjoy getting you in trouble!" Harry said urgently and Charlotte followed his advice.
There was nothing but a secret room behind the portrait, but they sat quietly listening to Peeves cackle. "Ooh...I stole the toad's cardigan!" Peeves laughed. "Freddie and Georgie are going to be so proud!"
The three Slytherins had to stifle a snort at that. "He's gone now, you can come out now."
"Thanks Potter," Charlotte said with a sigh of relief before the three started to move down the hall once more.
"Okay, how do we trigger the wall?" Damien asked confused.
"There should be a brick with a big scratch in the middle of it, tap the scratch with your wand," Harry explained and the three began to search quickly.
"Here it is!" Angela exclaimed a little loudly and she tapped the scratch.
"Whose there?" The three heard heard Filch yell. "Go find them my sweet..."
"Damn it Angela! Filch is on the way! Hurry into the passage! He doesn't know about this one, so you should be safe."
"How do we close it?" Charlotte asked hurriedly.
"There should be a brick you can press on the right wall."
"Well, what are you two waiting for? Help me find it!" Charlotte screeched and the two began pressing randomly. "Where the hell is it?"
"Calm down, we're still disillusioned, remember?" Angela said soothingly. "He won't see us."
"But, he'll hear us and we're still solid!" Charlotte retorted. "That's why we're avoiding the teachers at all costs, remember? We're only using the Charm to our advantage so they can't spot us from a distance!"
"We are never going to find it with you two arguing," Damien groaned and banged his head against the wall. Amazingly the wall began to close just as Filch rounded the corner.
"Who's there?" Filch demanded. "I know you're behind that wall, so come out! Don't make me get Professor Snape!"
The three just stood there with bated breaths and soon they heard him growl. "Fine...I was so hoping you'd resist...Maybe Professor Snape will let me hang you from your ankles..." Filch said gleefully.
"We've got a problem, Potter," Angela called over the locket.
"Yes, I heard, but luckily Snape is quite the distance away, so you're safe but hurry!" The three ran down the dark corridor with nothing but a lumos spell lighting their way. At the end of the hallway was a ladder which Harry instructed them to climb. Once at the top of the ladder they had to push a rock out of the way and they found themselves in the center of Entrance Hall.
"Bloody hell that's convenient," Charlotte mumbled. "How'd you know about that Potter?"
"The map showed it of course," Harry responded. "Charlotte I want you to put your locket in a little crack by the Great Hall doors and then got out of there! The teachers are all meeting up there! Eloise, Kristina, you need to hide Burbage and Vector! If they find the professors knocked out they'll know where we are. Everyone the escape route out is through a crawl hole behind the Hufflepuff hourglass. Climb through and hide out."
The five scrambled to follow Harry's orders...Angela and Damien helped the two fourth year Hufflepuffs pull the teachers through the crawl space. Charlotte slid into the passage just in time for the teachers to meet up. "Where are Charity and Septima?" Professor McGonagall asked suspiciously.
All of the sudden Charity Burbage and Septima Vector came dashing down the corridor. "Someone's out of bed!" Professor Burbage exclaimed. "They ducked into a passage and are heading for the Astronomy Tower!"
"We'll catch him," Professor McGonagall assured them. "He might be a distraction, so I need you two to stay here, alright?"
"Of course Minerva," the two chorused simply and the teachers headed out. Snape really hoped it was Potter...the detentions he could give that boy...
Burbage and Vector both retook their seats by the front gate as McGonagall and Snape headed towards the Astronomy Tower while the rest went back to their stations. "All clear guys," Harry said from the two "professors" lockets.
"Good call having Montgomery's locket listen in for our cue," "Professor Burbage" said.
"Just what'd you expect from our fearless leader," "Professor Vector" agreed.
"Of course we missed—"
"—a whole day's worth—"
"—of galleons!" The two said in unison.
"Fred! George! Shut up!" Harry demanded. "You've only bought us a bit of time and you not acting like the teachers is doing nothing but likely to get us caught!"
"Sorry..." The two apologized with a wince.
"Okay, team three I want you to head out as soon as possible," Harry explained. "Team two, head into the forest boundary while team one you move to a corner to the right of the gate. It's a blind spot so you're not likely to be seen. Keep up with sleeping draught."
Eloise and Kristina quickly pulled the teachers along and behind a bush while team two scurried off to the Forbidden Forest where they sat behind some trees. Meanwhile Team three hurried to the edge of their Common Rooms. Team Three consisted of Katie Bell, Andrew Kirke, Jack Sloper, Jimmy Peakes and Natalie McDonald from Gryffindor.
"We're ready Harry," Katie said.
"Alright, to the far right of the Fat Lady there is a secret passage behind the bookcase. The book Treasure and Troves is the trigger. Pull the book out and it will lead to a spiral staircase that will lead you all the way to the fourth floor."
"Dang, there's a lot of secret passages in this place," Andrew Kirke whistled appreciatively.
"I could have found these passages to, you know?" Jack Sloper said with a cocky smirk. "Just didn't feel like it."
Jimmy Peakes rolled his eyes and faked gagged causing Natalie McDonald to giggle. Jimmy beamed.
"Why'd I get caught with the kids...?" Katie mumbled cursing her luck. "Come on you four, we've got to go."
The five disillusioned themselves and hurried out the portrait. Luckily, Lee Jordan was able to charm the Fat Lady into visiting her friend Violet tonight, so she won't warn any of the professors. The five quickly pulled out the book and ran into the passage way.
"This place is creepy..." Natalie mumbled with a slight cough...She had always gotten sick easily and really this was probably going to be bad for her health. However, she would do anything for her hero, Harry Potter! Even suck up her fears.
"Stick to me and you'll be fine," Jack said pompously as he flexed his non-existent muscles.
"It'll be fine," Katie assured her and took her hand as the group made their way down the stairs. Soon they found themselves at a dead, but Katie noticed a button on the side. She was about to push it when she heard Harry tell her to stop.
"Don't push that button Katie! Binns is floating by and despite everything he is still a teacher," Harry said and Katie's hand froze. "There's another secret passage behind the unicorn tapestry, you just have to knock on the wall three times and it will open. It'll take you to the ground floor in front of the wall directly by the gate. Be quick about it, McGonagall and Snape are almost at the top of the Astronomy Tower. While we're at it, Team Four get a move on."
Team three waited patiently for Harry to declare it was safe while team four quietly snuck out of their dorms. Team four consisted of Adam Harper, Bryan Dunstan, Astoria Greengrass and Graham Pritchard of Slytherin. The four quickly disillusioned themselves as snuck out of the Common Room.
"Team four you're going to have to go left instead of right...Filch left Mrs. Norris by the wall. At the end of the hall there is a crawlspace by the ceiling. You'll have to levitate someone up and they'll be able to push the ladder down. Once the last person is up, have them pull the rope up and crawl through the passage. It will lead you to a crawl space in the broom cupboard by the main gate. Once there hurry out to the forest. Team three you can go now."
Katie quickly pressed the button and Jimmy ran across the hallway to the unicorn. He knocked three times and another spiral staircase revealed itself...They wasted no time hurrying in and closing it behind them.
Meanwhile, team four was sneaking along the hallway and saw the secret passage by the ceiling. It was very high up. "Looks like it'll take three of us to get one person up that high...Who's going up?" Astoria asked.
"I'll do it," Adam Harper said calmly. "Just don't drop me because it would be annoying to fall from that high."
Bryan looked at where he believed Adam was incredulously. "You know, I don't think you'd live if you fell from that high..."
"Nah, Potter's fallen from higher and lived," Graham pointed out.
"But, that's Potter," Astoria pointed out. "He never dies!"
"Oi! You four get a move on it!" Harry scolded and the four blushed. "And, I'm not that special."
The four scoffed at that one while everyone else with a mirror snickered. "He's right, we need to go," Adam said seriously and his three companions nodded.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" They chanted and Adam found himself being taken up higher and higher until he was able to grab on the ledge and push his way in. Crawling in, he grabbed the rope ladder and threw it off allowing it to untangle and the others to climb up.
"Don't forget to bring it up Bryan!" Astoria called out.
"I know, I know."
Meanwhile team three had managed to reach the wall and Katie didn't hesitate to push it causing the wall at the intersection of stairs to slide open and the five climbed out before it closed itself.
"Hurry up you lot," Fred said. "The polyjuice won't last much longer...We need you lot out of here before we escape ourselves."
"Where'd you two get polyjuice anyway?" Katie asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ah, dear Katie—" Fred began.
"—ask us no questions—" George continued.
"—and we'll tell you no lies," Katie finished with a smile. "I'm really going to miss you two next year..."
"You hear that Gred? She'll miss us!"
"Aw, that's so sweet Forge!"
"You two are unbelievable." Katie laughed and the twins gave her a mischievous smile that will give her nightmares for years to come since she only saw it on her teachers' faces.
With that settled team three crawled out the secret passage and made a dash for where Harry said the team two was.
"I think it's time for the next dosage," Eloise said as professor Burbage began to groan softly.
"Good idea," Kristina agreed and they boy poured a vial of sleeping draught down the teachers throats. The teachers being only half awake accepted the drink without second thoughts, and were soon back to their blissful state of slumber.
"Team four you're approaching the exit, but be fast, McGonagall and Snape are heading back down the tower," Harry reported.
"Alright," Astoria reported back.
"Eddie, you're out patrolling right?" Harry asked sixth year prefect, Eddie Carmichael.
"Yeah, Professor Flitwick's got me patrolling the Ravenclaw Tower with him," Eddie replied.
"Good...I want you to cause a ruckus and get Flitwick to follow you after a supposed student you found," Harry said deviously and the Slytherins couldn't help but admire him for it. "Get him as far as you can, so team five and six can get out."
"Alright," Eddie agreed. "Confringo!"
All of the sudden there was a great explosion two floors below them causing Professor Flitwick to jump. "Professor help! There's someone here!" Professor Flitwick heard his sixth year prefect cry out.
"Bridgette! Keep an eye on the Common Room!" Professor instructed his sixth year female prefect, Bridgette Chambers. "No one gets in or out of the tower, understood?"
"Of course professor," Bridgette assured her Head of House and the tiny man ran off as fast as he could. Bridgette stood there whistling for about a minute before she knocked on the wall. "C'mon you lot! It's time to go!"
"Alright," Cho said stiffly from behind the wall. "Team five I'm in charge and Padma's in charge of team six. Let's use the Disillusionment Charm now..."
Soon team five consisting of Cho Chang, Rolf Scalamander, Luna Lovegood, Susie Capper, Stewart Ackerly, David Bradley, Orla Quirke and Emma Dobbs plus team six consisting of Padma Patil, Su Li, Lisa Turpin, Mandy Brocklehurst, Morag MacDougal, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Quintin Rivers and Kevin Entwisted snuck out disillusioned.
"Okay, Hermione just told me about this charm called 'Glisseo' that turns stairs into a slide can any of you do it?" Harry asked.
"I can," Lisa responded.
"Good, use it on the Ravenclaw Towers staircase...Apparently if used it will cause a door to open up at the end that will take you all the way to the first floor. All you have to do from there is head out to the door next you and you'll be in the Entrance Hall. Just sneak out after that."
"Alright," Lisa said with a grin. "Glisseo!"
The two abnormally large teams had to refrain from screaming as they slid down the large spiral staircase at break neck speed.
"Eddie, lead Flitwick to the Divination Tower...I had the twins set up some stuff today to help us out here as well as the perfect scapegoat," Harry explained.
Harry had to sigh...He was glad he left most of this coordination stuff to Ron and Hermione. It was hard to keep straight!
Meanwhile with Eddie and Professor Flitwick they were chasing after a supposed student when a bright flash went off down the hall towards the Divination Tower. 'I don't even want to know,' Eddie thought as he yelled to Professor Flitwick. "He must have gone that way!"
"Don't lose him!" Flitwick squeaked in agreement and they headed into the Divination Tower. It wasn't long that they heard a cry as Eddie fired off a stunning spell in the direction.
"Watch it!" An unrecognizable voice screamed. Whoever it was began to run down the hall wanting to avoid whatever was causing these explosions as well as avoiding whoever was throwing spells at him.
At the same time team four managed to climb out of the crawl space in the broom cupboard. "We better hurry, you know," Adam said blasé about the whole thing. "It seems the commotion has started."
The rest agreed and headed out to see the twins still polyjuiced as their professors laughing so hard they were clutching their sides. They would never understand Gryffindors they decided as they simply crawled out and went to where Harry directed them to go.
"Here comes the wall!" Cho called out as quietly as she could. Just before they crashed however, the wall opened up and everyone just continued to slide down.
"I'm going this way from now on!" Su Li laughed and everyone could hear Sally-Anne groan over the mirrors causing everyone to snicker.
"You're nuts Su!" Kevin told her and if anyone had been able to see him they'd see he was looking positively green.
Su Li didn't get a chance to retort though because at that same moment the wall opened up and everyone went sliding across the floor. "Do you mind getting off me Morag?" Quintin asked.
"How'd you know it was me?" Morag asked confused.
"He obviously recognized your groan," Emma Dobbs, second year, said Hermione-like.
"You sound like Hermione," Luna said with a far off voice...
"Hey!" Hermione cried out offended.
"Do you really think so?" Emma asked and Hermione was perplexed by the awe in her voice.
"You know, I think we better get going before were caught!" Stewart Ackerly, third year, whispered insistently.
"He's right," David Bradley, third year, agreed.
"Everyone here?" Cho asked and she did a quick roll call. "Okay, head out."
"About time you got here," Fred said with a smirk.
"But, you might want to fix the charm," George pointed out smirking as well and everyone looked down to realize that the commotion must have caused the charm to unfocus because they kept the background of the previous room.
Everyone blushed and redid the charm before the quickly snuck out. The second Emma climbed out a portion of the Entrance Hall wall opened up and somebody came sliding out. Fred and George were on their feet in an instant, dueling the mysterious figure and keeping him from leaving.
"No you won't leave!" Professor Fred Burbage cried out dramatically and at that same moment Eddie along with Professor Flitwick came sliding out of the same wall while Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall came running out.
"I won't let you out of the gate!" Professor George Vector said as he used Petrifus Totalus on the boy.
"What is going on?" Professor McGonagall asked tiredly.
"This boy's been trying to leave, Minerva," Fred explained. "He was who we saw run towards the Astronomy Tower!"
"He couldn't have," Professor McGonagall disagreed. "We'd have caught him."
"There's a secret passage on the third floor that lets you slide back down," George told her. "I happened upon it once...We nearly caught him when he doubled back, but he made a run for it."
"That must be when I heard the explosion," Eddie chimed in. "I thought we were being attacked."
"Yes, we chased him all around it before he jumped in a secret passage," Professor Flitwick filled in for Professors Snape and McGonagall. "Luckily the passage didn't close fast enough, so Eddie and I were able to jump in and follow. But, who is it?"
Snape flipped the boy over and he felt both of his eyebrows jump in shock. "Derek Montague?" Professor Snape spat bitterly. "One of my students?"
"He must have been planning to use his prefect patrols as a means to escape," Professor McGonagall said softly. "Luckily Charity and Septima were here to stop him."
"Yes...I'll be taking this boy to my office now," Professor Snape assured them. "I wish to see why he did this. Locomotor Mortis!"
Montague's frozen body lifted off the ground and Professor Snape made his way to the dungeons. "Hold on Severus," Professor McGonagall called out. "I'll come with you...I wish to know what foolish reason he had for doing this because I do not enjoy being forced to run all the way up and down the Astronomy Tower."
"I'll come as well," Professor Flitwick piped up. "Eddie you can return to your patrols while we give this young man a stern talking to."
"Of course," Eddie said with a small smile. "Good night professors."
With that Eddie headed up the staircase with silent laughter.
"Team seven, prepare yourselves to go," Harry said with a slight grin. "With Flitwick, McGonagall and Snape all in his office the passage up is pretty much free to go."
Team seven consisted of John Summers, Benjamin Cadwallder, Kevin Whitbey, Eleanor Branstone, Laura Madley and Rose Zeller of Hufflepuff. The six disillusioned themselves and quietly exited the Hufflepuff common room. Fred and George were disappointed that it ended up going with zero problems...That was boring!
Harry was glad for the breathing time.
"Team eight it's finally your turn!" Harry said and the next group gathered in the Gryffindor Common Room. Team eight consisted of Colin Creevey, Ritche Coote, Ginny Weasley, Demelza Robins, Victoria Frobishier and Dennis Creevey. The six disillusioned and planned to follow team three's route.
"Not that way!" Harry hissed suddenly. "It seems that the ghosts decided to throw an impromptu party in there. You're going to have to go down the grand staircase! And, hurry because the teachers are beginning to disperse! McGonagall's heading your way!"
"Damn it," Ginny cursed softly. "Well you heard him; we need to get down there as fast as we can!"
With a great rush, the six members ran down the stairs as fast as they could. Dennis needed help when he fell into the trick stair and Victoria nearly fell off the staircase all together. "The stairs are changing!" Demelza said stating the obvious.
"That's lucky! Because you would have ran right into McGonagall. Duck into the hallway that's near there...There's a trapdoor there, so try to find a way to hide under it without going down until she passes by."
"Harry isn't that where Fluffy was?" Ron said confusing team eight.
"Oh honestly Ronald, do you see Fluffy's name anywhere? No? Then he's not there anymore!" Hermione retorted. "Did you really think Dumbledore would let a ferocious man eating three headed dog stay in the castle with nothing to guard? Stop being so thick!"
"Well excuse me if I worry about my little sister's safety!"
"Uh...guys...?"
"You wouldn't need to worry if you used your eyes for once!"
"Yeah well—"
"GUYS!" Harry finally screamed causing the two to stop bickering. "That's better...Merlin, can't you save it when something important isn't going on right now?"
"Sorry Harry..." The two muttered and everyone else was snickering.
"Anyway, Ginny try to find something to hover there or something quickly because McGonagall's coming to check that way!" Team eight instantly ran into the room and Ritche performed the locking spell. There were broken pieces of wood and Ginny had a brilliant idea.
"Guys, cast a hover charm on the wood and we'll use them as makeshift brooms!" Ginny said and everyone stared at her incredulously. "NOW!"
With that command everyone picked up a piece of suitable pieces of wood, charmed them, jumped in and Ginny closed the trapdoor. A second later the door opened with a click and Professor McGonagall walked in with beaded eyes. She random cast stunning spells around the room, but she didn't hear even the tiniest movement. Satisfied, she left the room, but guarded the door for a few minutes.
Unfortunately for her, Harry told them wait until she left and then let them leave once she was on the seventh floor. Everyone sighed in relief as they flew out hazardly and dashed down the rest of the stairs. "You there Ickle Gin-Gin?" Fred asked.
"Call me that again and I'll show you my Bat Bogey Hex again," Ginny told them.
"Noted," George said sweating as he covered Fred's mouth.
"See you in a while Ginny," Fred and George said as they felt someone hug them.
"I'll miss you..." Ginny choked out sadly.
"Aw...Now's not the time to get all choked up, you still got to make it to the forest!"
"I know...But, still—"
"Damn it!" Harry cursed suddenly causing everyone to jump.
"Harry?" Ginny asked into the mirror. "What's going on?"
"The Heads of Houses are now personally standing guard in front of the common room entrances! We can't exit!" Harry told her in obvious frustration. "Team prefect, disillusion and get yourselves out now...We'll think up something to get the rest of us out."
"Okay," all of the prefects (Danny Stebbins, Eddie Carmichael, Bridgette Chambers and Leanne Laughland) responded. They fortunately were able to get away without a problem due to their heads having them go out and patrol in their place.
The rest of the fifth years however...Harry was pacing back and forth trying to come up with something. Anything to get them out, but the fact was there was only one way out of the common rooms and there were teachers guarding it. Right now the teachers were basically making sure no one else got out rather than checking who was out and about in the castle.
Harry guessed it had to do with them trusting the prefects to catch them as well as the fact that a student might sneak by while checking dormitories...That didn't help much though besides staying inconspicuous.
There was also the fact that Eloise and Kristina were almost out of sleeping draughts and the polyjuice potion will wear off Fred and George soon. They need a way out and they needed one now. "Any ideas guys?" Harry asked rubbing his temples.
"We could always fly out the window?" Dean suggested.
"Not all of us can fly you know," Hermione retorted.
"Plus we're underground here," Daphne pointed out over the mirror.
"Oh right..."
"Maybe the map knows something?" Ron suggested. "It does have a mind of its own you know."
"Ron...You are brilliant!" Harry exclaimed.
"Never thought I'd—"
"—ever hear that!"
"Hardy har har!" Ron muttered bitterly.
"Is there a way out of the common rooms without going through the main entrance?" Harry asked the map.
"Who wants to know?" Msser. Prongs asked.
"I, Harry James Potter, the son of Msser. Prongs, the godson of Mssr. Padfoot and former student of Mssr. Moony."
"Hah! I told you'd end up a teacher Moony! That'll be five galleons!" Mssr. Padfoot said gleefully.
"As we are only a map, I cannot pay you Padfoot!" Mssr. Moony explained exasperated. "As for you Prongs junior...Every fireplace when lit by the bluebell flames will release a secret passage to each of the common rooms. That is how we found the entrance to every single common room to put on the map. The fifth exit is through the stairs in the entrance hall...Use this knowledge wisely!"
"Or to prank the whole school," Mssrs. Padfoot and Prongs added.
"Or to prank the whole school..." Mssr. Moony added exasperated despite it being written out...
"Well that was informative," Harry said with a smirk. "Looks like those flames of your will come in handy again Hermione."
"Huh?" Hermione asked smartly.
"Bluebell flames in the common room fireplaces will open a hidden panel in each common room for us to escape out of...They all lead to the entrance hall, so we are outta here!" Harry said happily. "Everyone got that?"
"Yes," Tracey Davis assured him.
"I know the spell," Sally-Anne told him.
"Then let's go!" Hermione cast the spell letting the remaining Gryffindors (Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Sophie Roper, Sarah Spinks, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger), the remaining Hufflepuffs (Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Stephen Cornfoot, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Sally-Anne Perks, Megan Jones and Lillian Moon) and the last Slytherins (Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis and Theodore Nott) into the hidden passage.
"I thought you weren't leaving with us?" Neville asked Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Why would we wait now?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow. "This is the only other way out, so we might as well leave now don't you think?"
Neville blushed and nodded as the three Houses converged to the end of a hall where a strange fireplace was. Taking an educated guess, Hermione shot some flames into the fireplace and the whole wall lifted up revealing that they were under the staircase the entire time.
"We've got to remember this one," Ernie whispered to Justin who nodded wide eyed.
"I'm going to take a crack at it and say the lot of you are there?" Fred asked with a grin.
"Course we are," Ron scoffed.
"Good because we only got a couple minutes before the polyjuice potion wears off," George said in obvious relief.
"Right." Harry nodded and spoke into the mirror. "Eloise, Kristina bring Burbage and Vector in. It's time to go."
"Okay, Harry," Kristina replied and about ten seconds later everyone saw the two professors pushed in. Fred and George swapped seats with them as they grinned. "Well, we'll be seeing you later," George said with a smirk. "Dumbledore knows were here, so don't worry about us getting trouble for being here."
"Let us come back for our final train ride, he did," Fred explained before the duo disillusioned.
"Take care of yourself, Ron," the twins said in chorus.
"Don't worry I will," Ron said hugging each of his brothers after Harry helped coordinate them with the map. "I'll take care of Ginny too."
"Bye!" Harry told them as he was the last to climb out the hole and headed straight to the forest. "Okay everyone! Once we're off the map we should far enough away that we can remove the charm. Once you do pick a partner and make sure you stay with the group!"
"Alright!" The Knights of Reformation cheered as they headed to their greatest adventure yet.
"Take care of yourself Harry," Professor Dumbledore said as he looked over the forest from his office. "Come back safe and hopefully stronger...I trust you."