The next spell scorched Ginny's swinging ponytail – courtesy of Bellatrix, who was fuming at Harry's escape. The Dark Lord was on his way and there would be hell to pay from him for letting such a brilliant chance slip through their fingers. If she captured his companion, perhaps the Dark Lord would be a little forgiving.

Such a thought was shared amongst the Death Eaters. Neglecting to coordinate their attacks, Ginny was given precious extra seconds. By now Harry was surely back at Hogwarts – but Ginny couldn't allow the Death Eaters to follow him.

But she couldn't stand and fight to the death – it would only take a few moments for the Death Eaters to overpower her and Hogwarts would be open to attack.

Dodging another spell, this time from Greyback, Ginny used her wandless hand to send a cutting curse at the Death Eaters.

Bellatrix conjured a massive shield to protect them, and laughed from behind it as Ginny's curse rebounded away. Ginny then followed up with another banishing charm, which again rebounded and hit Ginny's own shield.

With the force of the charm dulled, Ginny was not pushed back as much as Harry had been – but she was nearly at the wardrobe.

"Fools!" Bellatrix roared. "Surround her!"

Ginny backed away as fast as she could. Greyback and Malfoy tried to flank her, with Bellatrix and Dolohov attacking from the front.

Ginny waved her wand and a dust storm blinded the Death Eaters for a moment, giving her precious time to do what would in any other circumstance be greatly frowned upon. As the dust started to clear, Malfoy and Dolohov launched a simultaneous attack.

Ginny's wand went flying out of her hand as Malfoy's disarming charm met its mark. Dolohov's curse sliced into her arm, and agonising pain seared through it.

Greyback caught Ginny's wand and charged forward, the allure of fresh meat impossible to resist. Although magical torturing was all well and good (bad?) Greyback preferred to deal out pain himself.

But Greyback was not the most ferocious person with a name beginning with G in the room, as Ginny, disarmed though she was, was not going to be overpowered easily. A sheet of fire sliced through the air towards Malfoy, Dolohov and Lestrange, who were forced to drop to the floor as the fire flew above them. Greyback avoided it, but he didn't avoid the vicious slash to his face he received as what had been Ginny's right hand smashed into him.

And in case Harry had any brilliant ideas, Ginny conjured a message and sent it through the wardrobe.

Greyback roared in agony, and Ginny wrestled both his wand and hers away. Bleeding heavily, Greyback was forced away; Ginny took advantage of the favourable situation to incinerate the cupboard.

Now there was nothing to stay for, Ginny was ready to make a glorious exit, and promptly Voldemort strode in.

Harry lunged for the door, but as it flew open he realised he was too late. Ron, Fred and George were right in front of him.

Ron instantly read the situation as he saw the look of terror on Harry's face.

"Prefects, get the students out!" Ron commanded, and the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor fifth years instantly began guiding the younger students out of the room.

"Vanishing cabinet…Malfoy Manor!" Harry wheezed, still recovering from having the breath knocked out of him from Ginny's banishing charm.

Bill Weasley understood instantly, and sent a patronus off to Dumbledore, as Hermione swiftly organised the members of Dumbledore's army and other older students.

"Death Eaters could come through here at any moment, but Ginny's on the other side." Harry pointed out, giving anyone a chance to leave if they wanted. No one did, as they took whatever cover they could from the aisles of contraband in the room. The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione formed the inner circle around the wardrobe .

Neville Longbottom was absent, as he decided to stay and tend to his Mimbulus Mimbletonia, and not engage in the comical and ridiculous pursuit of Harry and Ginny that was transpiring.

But his galleon that he kept in his pocket began burning, and reading it, Neville saw that a meeting was…scheduled for…right now?

Swiftly rising, Neville exited the now nearly empty common room and began making his way to the Room of Requirement. On the seventh floor, he met up with Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Padma Patil and Terry Boot. The Ravenclaws had been alerted by Luna, who gazed at Neville as she asked what was happening.

"I don't know… but I think it could be serious."

Nodding, the seven moved onward to the Room of Requirement.