"What are we going to do, professor?" asked a fourth year girl after Andromeda have recounted what she had seen in the village. It had taken her a while to reach the Shrieking Shack because she'd been dazed by the sight of Cissy being taken by Bellatrix and it was a long time before she could face the streets, and the Death Eaters, again.

"You are all going to stay here; I'm going to find a way into the castle and help the staff and remaining students to stop them" she replied assertively.

"But we can help!" protested Sirius' friend; the boastful Gryffindor with the glasses and messy brown hair, "we want to go with you".

"I need you all here where you're safe. There's a fireplace downstairs; send a message to the Ministry telling them that Hogsmeade has been attacked by the Death Eaters and that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is making his way to the castle".

"But-"

"Don't argue, Mr Potter! This isn't an opportunity for you to show off and act the hero, this isn't a school lesson; they will kill you if they get the chance and by staying here you are depriving them of that chance so you cannot leave!"

Andromeda reattached her charcoal-grey travelling clock and descended the creaking staircase, knowing full well that there were plenty of chivalrous students staring at her loathingly. I would rather them do that than stare at me with the blank eyes of corpses she thought bitterly as she reached what vaguely resembled a sitting room.

"Andromeda" whispered a voice from behind the stairs.

"Sirius, I said everyone has to stay here". The third year emerged from his place of concealment and looked straight at her; not with hatred but with a mixture of pity and determination. "And it's Professor Black" she added in a professional manner.

"Like you said, this isn't a school lesson. Andromeda". She found his retort endearing rather than frustrating; knowing full well that he didn't want to show off or act the hero, he genuinely did want to help.

"How do we get into the castle?" she asked.

"There's a secret tunnel under a trap door in the next room, but someone's placed the colloportus jinx on it; blasting the door open will only make it easier for the Death Eaters to find us if they're already in the castle".

"Well until I come back you're in charge"

"But I want to help-"

"I know you do and I will come back; that's the safest way into Hogwarts now which means I'll need to search all the houses and shops for something that might get it to open". To her surprise Sirius hugged her before she left the Shrieking Shack, which only made it harder to leave when she thought about the look on his face if she didn't make it back alive.

Outside, the streets of Hogsmeade were deathly silent and the patrolling Death Eaters moved around like ghosts looking for more living prey. Outside The Three Broomsticks, there were a small group of them conversing in angry tones.

"You didn't get him?" asked the first

"I told you, he stunned me and then ran off before I could do anything about it" replied the second. A third Death Eater was stood nearby, who inquired "who got away?"

"It was that Mudblood Tonks from the Ministry" another said, this one stood significantly further away than his three companions, "he was in the back room but he ambushed us before we could kill him. Filthy wretch got away".

Intangible warmth flooded through Andromeda's veins at the news that Ted had escaped; she knew that the hope he provided would always be with her but with dark wizards on the prowl she didn't know who she was likely to find alive anymore.

"Look! Over there!" one of the hooded men called out, pointing his wand directly at Andromeda. She had been thinking too much about Ted to focus on staying hidden. The others rose into action immediately and drew their wands simultaneously with smouldering looks contorting their faces, time appeared to speed up rapidly as numerous spells were cast by people she hadn't notice arrive.

"Avada Kadavra!"

"Protego!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

"Stupefy!"

For a few moments she didn't know which spell she had cast; there were too many voices talking at once. The killing curse had been issued from the wand of a Death Eater but had never reached its target; which was her. In the village square there stood a witch and wizard draped in elaborate silk robes and aiming their wands at the fleeing villains.

"You're the figure I saw in the background" she said to the man.

"Correct, Miss Black" bellowed the wizard's deep voice; the pitch was frightening but his tone was friendly, "Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye on you".

"You're aurors".

"We protect what is right, ma'am" said the witch; who after chasing away the last of the Death Eaters had rejoined them. Their facial structures were similar, as was their skin tone, and their body language towards each other suggested that that they were close enough to be family.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Kendra Shacklebolt; this is my younger brother Kingsley" the woman said, gesturing towards the man stood beside her.

"Recently qualified, Miss Black. Kendra here's been training me up since our parents died a few years ago; 'bout time I put my skills to the test" Kingsley spoke proudly.

"But don't you work for the Ministry?"

"Yes, but Dumbledore represents a much higher authority. The Ord-"

"Hush! Kingsley. She hasn't proven her loyalty yet, she cannot be trusted with that information" his sister warned.

"I'm on your side! I can help!" Andromeda protested, realising too late that she sounded so much like the boy back at the Shrieking Shack.

"But it's not safe for you".

"Why not?"

"Dumbledore believes that Bellatrix's mission from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named involves you and your younger sister"

"But what would You-Know-Who want with us?"

"That's a question that not even Albus knows the answer to". After this last sentence there was an immense silence followed by a cold rush of air as another lavishly-dressed wizard apparated beside them. He was much taller than Kingsley, and had significantly more hair. His skin was lighter than that of the others and he carried himself more confidently; walking with much more grace than either of his fellow aurors but maintaining a humbleness that made him seem welcoming.

"Quentin!" beamed Kendra, who embraced the newcomer with an admiration that Andromeda didn't think the hardy witch was capable of.

"Is this her?" the man called Quentin asked interrogatively. He was holding Kendra in his arms in a way that suggested he had regretted letting her go the last time he saw her.

"It is" Kingsley answered, "Miss Black; this is Quentin, my brother-in-law and Kendra's husband".

"Husband? But what about-"

"My name?" Kendra laughed; "I might love him to pieces but being a Shacklebolt always comes first" which was followed by her shoving Kingsley jokingly; "I let our daughter take his name though-"

"Stupefy!" The four of them found themselves surrounded by Death Eaters who had wands in their wands and murder in their eyes. They were emerging from one of the side streets which led off from the square to the north, causing Andromeda and her three new companions to head south towards the Shrieking Shack.

"Run!" shouted Quentin, "I'll hold them off!"

"I'll help you!" Kendra screamed desperately

"No, you're job is to protect Miss Black; get inside the castle!" There was nothing they could do but to leave him duelling at least seven Death Eaters whilst they ran back towards the hiding place of the Hogwarts students; Kendra looking back at her husband longingly the whole time. If they ever reached safety Andromeda and the Shackbolts would have to blast their way through the tunnel and into the castle where Bellatrix Lestrange was waiting for them.