Harry Potter and the Battle of the Age

Chapter Sixteen

Signs Will Tell

In the darkness, Harry could see a few people already running away from the village, toward Hogwarts. Even as he watched, more Dark Marks appeared in the air, although none were as large or high as the first. The screaming continued. It was horrible to hear, in the black of the starless night. Harry imagined the streets of Hogsmeade were packed with students, and now each of them was probably panicked, and running for their lives... a group of first and second years too young to go to the village had crowded against the windows, looking out at the grinning skulls and snakes that were hanging there like ghastly fireworks.

"What is that?"

"Are those really...?"

"Oh my God!"

"What's happening?" Rachel finally managed to loosen her lips.

"We should go to Dumbledore," Harry said the first thing that flew into his head. "Maybe..."

He didn't finish.

"We should see if we're needed. Oy!"

He yelled across the common room.

"Who here is above second year?"

A group of third years who had been quizzing each other timidly held up their hands. Dennis Creevey, a fifth year, slowly put up his. Then Howie Dirsch, the prefect who had tried out for Beater earlier in the year, stepped down from the stairs leading to the boys' dormitories.

"I am," he said, a frown creasing his forehead. "What's going on? I heard yelling..."

"We don't know yet. Can you keep an eye on everyone here?" Harry asked urgently. Dirsch still looked baffled, but noticed the exigency in the Head Boy's voice. He nodded.

"If McGonagall or anybody comes looking for me, tell her I went for Dumbledore. Keep everyone here under control. And don't let anybody leave," Harry added emphatically. Dirsch nodded again, the window catching his eye. Harry hurried out the portrait hole, grabbing his wand off of the desk. Rachel was behind him. He looked over his shoulder, but before he could speak, she said,

"We all said we were going to be with you all the way, remember?"

With that, she pulled her wand out of her pocket and jerked her head down the hallway leading to Dumbledore's office.

As they reached the stone gargoyle leading to the headmaster's study, several shining objects shot out from behind the closed door--Patronuses, about five of them. One came right in front of Harry, and he saw that it was a phoenix. It looked directly at him and gave a short call, then disappeared.

"A summons from Dumbledore," he realized. "He must already know."

Harry headed for the gargoyle. It moved aside without a password, much to his surprise, and he darted up the spiral staircase. He knocked on the door, and it opened almost immediately. Dumbledore stood behind his desk with his arms folded behind his back, looking both grave and alert. The portraits on the walls weren't bothering to pretend to be asleep this time. Harry's stomach suddenly clinched.

It's happening...this is it.

"Harry," the headmaster said, and gave a brief nod. "And... Rachel?"

Rachel suddenly looked awkward.

"I--I said I would go with him," she said simply, not knowing what else to say. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

"Hm--admirable," he observed mildly, then turned back to Harry. "Harry, listen to me... do you recall what you said the night the prophecy was made, concerning the centaurs?"

Harry searched his brain. When had he spoken about centaurs? Then he remembered. "Oh, yeah... if you couldn't get them to agree to help us, mention Taran's friend, right?"

"That's what I recalled," Dumbledore said. "And I believe you mentioned something about the centaurs being 'serious about keeping their promises?'"

Harry nodded, wondering where this was all going. Professor McGonagall burst through the doors then, but saw Dumbledore talking and kept in the background.

"This led me to believe the centaurs had made some sort of promise to you, somehow regarding the young foal Taran son of Bane. Is this correct?"

"Er--sort of," Harry replied, looking at Rachel. Lupin entered, but joined McGonagall. "They actually made a promise to--to Rachel."

Dumbledore gazed at her for a moment, then spoke.

"Ah," he said. "This complicates matters a bit. Harry--please give me a moment."

He turned to McGonagall.

"Minervera, I need someone at the doors of the castle. Go there and get the students inside. Send them all to their dormitories and tell them they are not to leave, under any circumstances. I don't think he'll be taking hostages or attacking them now, if he is following the plan I think he is... although if you hear word of any, tell me. If you see Hagrid, tell him to help you. And Severus," he added, almost as an afterthought. "Don't go into the village yet."

McGonagall left immediately.

"Remus, I'll ask you to stay here for a moment, in case I need you."

And Dumbledore turned his attention back to Harry.

"That night, I was able to tell a few centaurs of the prophecy, but their feelings toward Hagrid were more--violent than I had hoped. I couldn't say much, nor mention young Taran's name." His gaze turned to Rachel. "In a few sentences--what were the circumstances under which the centaurs made a vow to you?"

"I had... er... I had gone into the forest," Rachel admitted. Dumbledore, the situation being what it was, made no comment. "Not far, but... I heard centaurs talking. They were talking about whether they should fight with us, in fact. Then, uh... Grawp showed up. They fired arrows at him, so he attacked. He had the little one trapped, but I talked to him... I managed to get him to go back and leave them alone. Taran's father... he said they would repay me someday."

Dumbledore nodded.

"I see. A life for a life... they will hold to their word. I was going to ask Harry to go, with an escort, into the forest to try and get the centaurs to assist us, but you are barely of age; you haven't even left school... with Harry, this was... less of a problem..."

"I'll do it," Rachel replied. "I'm--I'm older than him, anyway... my birthday was in March..."

Dumbledore looked at her for a moment, thinking.

"I know I haven't left school, so I can't join the Order or anything, but--don't we really need their help, if Death Eaters... if Death Eaters attack Hogwarts?"

Harry looked sharply at her, than Dumbledore.

"That was what I was thinking," he said seriously. He sighed. "Very well--you may go."

"Professor," Harry said. "You think they're going to attack Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore's piercing blue gaze landed on him.

"I believe," he said slowly, "That this is the attack Professor Trelawney foresaw. They are drawing a lot of attention to themselves in Hogsmead... I think they may be trying to herd students into Hogwarts. Of course," he shrugged, "It would be the safest place for them to go, if we can get them into their dormitories in time..."

"At our very refuge..." Harry murmured.

"Yes," Dumbledore affirmed gravely. "I was foolish; I spent most of my energy focusing on how best to protect the Ministry--I assumed Professor Trelawney was talking about wizardkind when she said 'we', or 'our'. I now believe she meant Hogwarts. I will be watching for the signs... and praying none of them will come from innocent students."

"Professor--can I go with Rachel?" Harry asked suddenly. "There's no one else to go with her..."

Dumbledore sighed.

"I would prefer if Hagrid went with you, but this cannot be... I suppose you must. Keep your wand out; be very diligent--and very respectful to the centaurs. Stay on the path. And--leave from a place your father won't see you, Rachel. In case he becomes... concerned."

Harry nodded and left the office at once, like the other professors had done. Now, everything was so vital and serious and--dangerous... Harry supposed Dumbledore couldn't afford to think about technicalities like the fact that he and Rachel were both a few months underage. They needed to help. It was no longer a question.

As they left, Dumbledore began giving Lupin orders to mobilize the rest of the teachers to get the students to safety, and preparing to try and give the castle further protective enchantments.

Harry and Rachel ran down the empty corridors to the entrance hall, where Professors McGonagall, Hagrid, and Snape where herding in terrified students and directing them to their dormitories. It had begun to thunder loudly, and often. Students where running everywhere, panicking; many where crying. They seemed only too happy to go to their common rooms. Harry scanned the crowds. His heart leapt as he caught a glimpse of Ron and Hermione--they were safe! Ron had his arm around Hermione's shoulders, and was leading her into the castle. She looked more scared than Harry had ever seen her. Ron's eyes were wide, to, but he stood straight and helped her on. Rachel tugged on Harry's sleeve.

"We should Disillusion ourselves to get to the forest..."

Harry nodded, and they both put the charm on themselves and melted away. Harry cast one last look at Ron and Hermione, then, holding Rachel's hand so they wouldn't separate, went out the side door.

Once they got into the cover of the trees, Rachel suddenly appeared in front of him.

"What are you doing?" Harry hissed.

"I didn't want to jump out at them," she said. "Or have them think I was sneaking around, or anything..."

Harry thought about this. Then he, too, rapped his wand sharply on the top of his head, imagining his own image clearly. A warm trickle went down his back, and he was visible again.

Harry and Rachel went down the path, the moonlight illuminating it well for a while. After about ten minutes, the trees thickened and the path became even narrower and rockier; Harry and Rachel used Lumos spells.

"How are we supposed to find them?" Harry muttered. For some reason, he felt like he should whisper.

"I don't know," Rachel admitted. "Just keep looking, I suppose..."

They went on for a few more minutes, then Harry stuck his arm in front of Rachel.

"Did you hear that?"

"No..."

Harry could have sworn he heard footsteps, but they sounded far off. He stood for a moment, then shook his head.

"It was nothing..."

They continued to follow the trail. Harry was just wondering how they would ever find any centaurs like this, when there was a distinct rustle of leaves to his right. He stopped, and this time Rachel had heard it too. Alone in the forest in the dark, it was exquisitely unnerving to hear something--or somebody--so close to them.

"Hello?" Rachel said from behind him, peering into the blackness. "Bane?"

Something moved again. It didn't sound like a centaur. Harry's heart began racing. He motioned for Rachel to stay behind him. Whatever it was was keeping silent. The noise didn't seem to be made by anything smaller than a human.

"Is anyone there?" he called. There was no answer.

"Please identify yourself!" Silence. Harry raised his wand. There was another shuffle of leaves--this time, from the left side of the path, nearer to Rachel. Suddenly, he heard something lunge out of the undergrowth. Rachel gave a short, sharp scream. Harry whipped around, and saw--Snape.

"Put them out!" he said in a strangled whisper. "Put them out, you idiots!"

Harry and Rachel stared, then muttered 'Nox' in unison. Their wand tips no longer glowed. As their eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight, they saw Snape's figure, then his face. He looked furious.

"What in hell are you two doing here?" he choked. "Get out before you both get killed!"

"Dumbledore sent us," Rachel said, snatching her arm out of his grasp.

"Ridiculous," Snape spat, before she could go on. "Dumbledore knows better than to send you here!"

"The centaurs won't hurt us--it's... it's a long story..." Rachel said, but Snape cut her off again.

"Centaurs? I'm talking about Death Eaters! Now I'm going to have to get you both out of here alive and I'll lose them..."

"There are Death Eaters in the forest?" Harry repeated, shocked. "Wha--what are they doing here?"

"Getting ready to attack, I'm sure! Get over here... put your wands out..."

Snape jerked Rachel's arm again and they followed him.

"Dumbledore sent us, I told you... we're trying to get the centaurs! If they can help when the Death Eaters attack..."

"He didn't know they were already here! Dumbledore would never have sent you if he knew Death Eaters were waiting!"

Harry and Rachel exchanged glances. This was true, but... how important was it to get to these centaurs? There were probably about fifty in the woods; with that many on their side...

"We're going back to the castle and you two are headed straight for your dormitories!"

"Professor, if this turns out to be the battle Trelawney predicted, than I have to fight!" Harry said hotly. "If this is... the battle that can topple Voldemort..."

Snape glanced back at him.

"That much may be true," he allowed, curling his lip. "That is not for me to decide. Keep your voices down."

"Well, I'm not sitting in the common room while you go out and battle for your life," Rachel muttered to him.

"Yes, you are," Snape shot back, just as quietly. Then he winced and grabbed his left wrist, as though burned.

"What?" Harry muttered.

"They're out of the forest," Snape said in an annoyed tone, pushing his sleeve down.

"Maybe Voldemort is in the forest, and that's where they're to Apparate to," Rachel suggested.

"No," Snape said shortly. "He's probably near the village. The two Death Eaters left."

"How can you be--"

"I know," Snape cut Harry off sharply. "At least, when he's close I can tell."

Harry did not question this.

"Then--we should turn back again!"

"No. They could come back any moment."

Harry and Rachel looked at each other again. Rachel spoke.

"But--Dumbledore told us to get them. It's--it's his orders..."

"You are not in the Order of the Phoenix, therefore my instructions mean as much to you as his!" Snape shot, looking over at her. "I know better than you what the Headmaster wants!"

"Professor--"

"Enough!"

"What if this is really imp--"

"Shut up!" Snape, already tense from sneaking around behind Death Eaters and then trying to get Harry and Rachel back, finally snapped. "If it's important he'll send more capable adults to take care of it! You are going to follow me out of these damned woods and then go back to Gryffindor Tower!"

"You don't get it! Dumbledore sent me for a reason; if you would let me explain--"

Snape stopped and turned.

"I have had enough!" he hissed again, his lips tightening over his teeth. "You lower your voice and follow me, or I will make you." He pointed his wand at Rachel; he was standing so close it was inches from her throat. Harry jumped.

Rachel stared back at Snape, meeting him straight in the eye. No one moved for several seconds. Finally, she spoke.

"Fine. I'll go with you, but then I'll come straight back here when Dumbledore finds out the centaurs aren't coming." She raised her voice before Snape could make any reply. "But I'm not going to go and wait around in the dorm while I promised Harry and Dumbledore I'd be there to help them!"

Snape didn't even bother to reply. Before Harry could blink he hit Rachel full across the face, hard enough for her to sway and almost fall to the ground. Rachel put her hand to her cheek and looked down, stunned. Harry yelled something at Snape, but he ignored him.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" he yelled, cursing at his daughter. "I've taken far too much from you and I'm through! Don't you try anything more with me, or I'll give you every goddamn thrashing you've earned this entire year!"

Rachel looked up, her eyes burning again. It was a horrible to hear the way he yelled at her.

"And as for Potter... I think he's done quite enough for you already, don't you?" he breathed venomously.

Harry, anger beginning to boil in his own chest, opened his mouth, but Rachel beat him to it.

"Oh, back off..." she said, not shouting but quite clear.

"What did you say?" Snape growled, stepping closer to her again. Apparently Rachel was fed up, too.

"I said back off!" she shouted, and shoved Snape hard in the chest. He, too, almost fell, a look of shock temporarily replacing his livid expression. Then he was upon Rachel again. With a snarl he grabbed her arm and twisted hard, forcing her against a broad oak tree. Rachel cried out in pain, but Snape wouldn't loosen his hold, and she couldn't get away. Harry jumped forward. This had gotten so out of hand; Snape was out of control.

"Did you not believe me?" he cried, looking like he had gone mad. Rachel was having trouble breathing, and continued to give short, tight cries, eyes screwed tightly shut.

"You're going to break her arm!" Harry yelled, and tried to pull Snape off. He paid no attention. "Snape! Stop it... get a hold of yourself! Snape!"

Rachel gasped. Meanwhile, Harry knew something must have been happening at Hogwarts by now. Damn Snape; they didn't have time for this.... And he was going to seriously hurt Rachel. Harry started to feel panicked, and scared. He wanted somebody to help... he couldn't pull Snape off, though he tried. He had never seen the Potions teacher like this; it was even more upsetting than he would have thought, watching a full-grown man physically take out his fury on a young girl too small to fight him off. Snape continued to twist Rachel's arm back at an unnatural angle. He was pale with fury, and she with pain.

What was it going to take for him to stop?

Then, without warning, a deep, angry voice came out of the woods.

"Unhand her."

Snape looked to see where the voice was coming from, but was abruptly thrown onto his back on the hard dirt. A giant hoof descended on his chest, and he was suddenly staring at the tip of an arrow.

"Bane!" Rachel gasped, holding her wrist. The centaur stared Snape in the face with hatred. One of his fellow centaurs bent down and took Snape's wand, and stamped on it. It broke into two neat halves. Snape's eyes widened.

"Bane!" said the other centaur, whom Harry already knew as Ronan. "He has the mark of their Dark Lord on his wrist."

"Shall we kill him?" Bane said, addressing Rachel but not looking up from Snape. "Or do you want him for a hostage?"

Rachel looked at Harry, the appeal of dragging Snape bound and gagged to the castle apparently strong. But she said,

"No--he's... he's a teacher at the school." She saved him reluctantly.

"A teacher?" Bane repeated, confused. He looked back at Rachel. "Who bears this mark and tortures his students, younger and smaller than he? Is this true?" The centaur, who had apparently had the same reaction as Harry when he saw Snape, turned to him. Harry looked down at Snape, and took his time answering.

"Yes, it's true," he finally admitted.

"He used to follow the Dark Lord," Rachel added. "I guess he's still got some of it in him..."

Snape's lips parted angrily at this, but his teeth were clenched. He wisely did not speak.

"To injure a foal is a terrible crime, 'teacher'," Bane said spitefully, turning back to Snape. "Especially one put in your care." He increased the pressure on Snape's chest, and Snape gave a choked cry.

"Let him go," Rachel said softly, looking at the ground. Harry went over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Bane looked at her questioningly, but with a final press, lifted both his hoof and his bow. Snape took a breath and got to his feet, holding his chest. Harry wondered if Bane broke any ribs.

"Uh--Bane? I was actually sent here--to talk to you."

"I hoped you would have a good reason for trespassing," Bane replied, his deep voice sounding threatening, even when he wasn't trying.

"Yes--on Dumbledore's orders. He's told you about--a prediction, that was made at the school a little while ago, hasn't he?"

"Yes."

"The battle it refers to--ah...Dumbledore says... it's happening. Tonight. The prophecy said that we all have to unite, or... we would all fall. He sent me to ask... to request the help of the centaurs against one of the greatest evils that ever lived, for the sake of everyone--human and centaur."

Rachel finished breathlessly, and Bane looked down at her impassively. Harry looked at him and Ronan. Snape gathered up his broken wand, then looked at Rachel like he had never seen her before, then off into the woods.

"This is a lot to request for one life-debt," Bane observed sternly.

"I know," Rachel said quietly. There was another long silence. Finally, Bane spoke.

"We have seen this battle in the stars. And we know what will happen if this Voldemort, Voldemortist as he is called in our tongue, is allowed to win. Although some of us--" he said, putting great emphasis on the word 'some' and looking sideways at Ronan, "--believe that the humans brought this upon themselves, and every other creature... we have decided to fight him. For the sake of our own foals, who do not deserve his treachery."

A smile lit Rachel's face.

"I--we..."

She couldn't find the words.

"Thank you," she offered solemnly.

Bane nodded slightly.

"Ronan, would you please tell the rest of the herd that the time has come, if they do not see it already--I have never seen Mars as bright as it has been of late. Human-foal, Rachel--you may tell Dumbledore that he can count on us for alliance against Voldemortist. Or I will do so myself--I am going to follow you through the woods to the castle, as... I still owe you a debt of protection."

He glared at Snape as he said this. Snape pocketed his broken wand and scowled back.

"We will gather at the edge of the forest," Ronan said lightly, and, with a nod to Harry and Rachel, galloped off into the trees.

"You, 'teacher,'" Bane addressed Snape in the same malicious fashion. "Get ahead on the path."

"You don't have the authority to--" Snape began, but, again more wisely than Harry would have thought, shut his mouth, and then, looking supremely irritated, turned on his heel. He walked alone down the path and Bane followed, than Harry and Rachel. They had gotten nearly to the edge of the forest when they discovered their troubles were not over yet. Out of the blackness of the trees, an arrow came zinging at Bane, Harry, and Rachel, giving Bane a glancing wound on the shoulder.

"Get down!" he thundered at the humans behind him. Harry thrust out his wand and dropped to the ground with Rachel.

"Identify yourself, or I aim to kill!" Bane shouted, as he sent a warning arrow into the thicket.

"You would kill a herd brother, Bane?" came a voice from the trees. "You, of all centaurs?"

Another centaur stepped out into the path, a chestnut-bodied one Harry knew as Magorian, the chief of the centaurs in opposition to helping the fight against Voldemort.

"Magorian!" Bane shouted, looking like the wild and fierce centaur Harry remembered him as. "You shot at me!"

"Only so you would listen, brother," Magorian answered swiftly. "Only so you would come to your senses. These humans--these very ones!--have trespassed in our forest constantly, and brought that deranged, insulting fool of a woman into our presence... they have no respect for us at all, and coming to their assistance at their every beck and call will not help that! Don't you see, Bane... you, who once spoke so strongly against these foolish, proud creatures are now bending to their will? What was it you used to say--as a common mule!"

Bane's nostril's flared and he stamped his foot angrily. "No, Magorian--it is you who do not see. Do you think your Fridelia will be safe from Voldemortist? Do you think any centaur in this forest will be spared? Read the stars, you fool! Fight not for the humans, but for your herd! Do as I do, and tolerate them as long as the battle lasts, for the sake of all."

Magorian looked almost mournfully at his friend.

"Bane... I am so sorry to lose you."

Harry thought he was talking about losing Bane's loyalty, or, supposedly, his sanity--until he drew his bow. Rachel gasped. But Bane was quicker. Another arrow flew low into his stomach--Magorian's. He gasped, trembling and slowly reaching at the arrow, and fell. Bane seemed frozen for a moment, then ran to his friend's side.

"Oh, heavens--I am sorry, brother..." he choked, bending down. Magorian looked up at him, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Bane shivered.

"No--I cannot leave him here. Humans!" he called. "We are near the edge of the forest; can you make it out safely enough?"

"Yes," Snape replied shortly, turning to go, obviously wanting to get back before it was too late.

"I was talking to the young ones," Bane said distastefully.

"We'll be fine," Harry said. Rachel, whose hands where to her mouth in horror, could only nod.

"This war... it has made me shoot at my own herd brother... go, humans! You are still trespassing!" Bane called. Rachel's eyes widened, but Harry quickly led her on.

"It's alright," he said. "He's just horrified at what he had to do; they'll still come."

The end of the forest was in sight. Snape had them stop when the castle was in sight. Some students were still running from Hogsmead, and more Dark Marks were appearing in the sky. There seemed to be about a fifteen now. Snape turned to them to say it was clear--and paused.

"What is it?" Harry asked, at the look on Snape's face. He was staring at Rachel, who had her arms folded and was still breathing a bit unsteadily, shaken by the episode with the arrows. Harry didn't see anything odd--then he did a double-take.

Rachel looked up.

"What?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse. Harry continued to stare.

"What is it?" Something dark slipped down her face, a tear. But dark.

Rachel's eyebrows contracted nervously as Snape slowly stepped closer. He reached her and gently lifted her chin to the moonlight. With his thumb he softly wiped her cheek, then drew his hand back, rubbing his fingers together and staring at them. The smear he had left on her face, so white in the moonlight, was bright crimson. When Rachel saw the liquid on his hand, her eyes widened again and she began rubbing at her cheeks and eyelids frantically. Harry could see more blood welling up in them, black in her eyes, then thinning to ruby red in the light, as it continued to slide down her cheeks, now smeared with the blood she tried frantically to rub off.

"What's happening?" she cried, sounding frightened.

Snape stared a moment longer, then said sharply,

"Follow me."

They ran toward the front steps of the castle, just as the bells tolled the hour. When they got within sight of the door, Harry saw Dumbledore standing in the middle of the wide doorframe, holding a staff, usually propped up in his study, with both hands. His eyes were shut and his face downturned, and he was muttering constantly, not in English. The wind, which was strong already as it pulled on the turbulent storm, seemed to increase in volume as it neared the headmaster, blowing his silvery hair and beard away from his face. As they approached, he opened his eyes, and said quietly,

"Well, that is all I can do... if it is going to happen here, we cannot stop it."

A few more students hurried past him, plainly terrified and hurried on by Professor McGonagall.

"Headmaster!" Snape called, now running to the castle as thunder rumbled, louder and longer than ever, overhead. "Headmaster!"

Dumbledore came to attention as they mounted the steps, McGonagall, Lupin and Hagrid drawing nearer as well. Harry saw Ron and Hermione behind him--they had waited in the entrance hall.

"Headmaster," Snape gasped, one last time. Rachel came up behind him, fresh, anxious blood-tears running down her face. "Look..."

He stepped aside and drew Rachel to Professor Dumbledore. McGonagall inhaled sharply and clasped her chest. Hagrid gripped Fang's leash. Lupin's lips parted with amazement. Dumbledore took Rachel's face in both his hands and studied it for a few moments, his ice-blue eyes slowly taking in what he saw. Then he lowered his hands onto both her shoulders and looked up.

"It is happening," he said steadily. "Now."

Chapter Seventeen

The Battle Begins

With a crack of lightening, the rain finally began. A few heavy drops fell on Harry as everyone stood for a moment, stunned. Then Dumbledore released Rachel's shoulders.

"We need to reorganize," he said evenly. "It is sure to begin soon. Minervera, are all the students accounted for?"

The rain was quickly turning into a storm, clouds blocking the stray bits of moonlight they had.

"Not everyone, Headmaster," McGonagall said, worried. "It was pandemonium; we couldn't exactly tick off names..."

Dumbledore nodded gravely.

"We'll need somebody to go and roam the corridors; gather all the students in the library and the halls."

"I'll go," Lupin volunteered, and left. Dumbledore ushered the rest of them in and shut the great oak doors, locking them with his wand. Harry heard a great clunking noise, but saw nothing happen. He didn't worry; magical locks were powerful.

"Harry," Dumbledore turned to him gravely. "The signs have finally come--this is the battle Trelawney predicted. You know what you must do."

Every thought Harry had had since he learned of her first prophecy regarding him years ago flew into his head. He didn't have time to register them all, but caught bits.

'...be either murderer or victim...still only a skinny seventeen-year old...would fight Voldemort...this had to end...it's time...only one with the power... this had to end... had to end...'

"Are you prepared?"

Harry looked up into Dumbledore's wrinkled, sombre face. He gripped the handle of his wand tightly and swallowed hard. This was it. This was his life's purpose, so far. It was all going to happen tonight.

Somehow, the panic he predicted didn't come. It had to happen now; it couldn't be put off any longer. It was time. He had known for years that this was coming... at least his Defence Against the Dark Arts scores were up, Harry thought, a bit nonsensically. He had to fight Voldemort. He didn't think it was going to be simple, but he felt... ready. It was time. He marvelled at this for a fraction of a second before answering the headmaster.

"Yes."

Harry was scared, anxious, and thrown from the suddenness of it all. He was timid to fight the Death Eaters, although he knew instinct and training would take over when it began. He knew in his mind that he was a strong wizard; the only one capable of defeating the Dark Lord, but that didn't banish the unease of knowing he was about to battle for his life, and countless others. But something--duty, honour, defensiveness, perhaps simply raw courage... or maybe a bit of each--was spurring him on. He knew in his heart that he was--ready.

Dumbledore nodded.

"We will help you in any way we can, until the moment comes," he said, his deep, true voice reverberating in the hall.

"Of course we will!" Hagrid said fiercely, raising his crossbow.

"Yeah," came a voice from behind him. Ron. "Us too," he said, his own voice much smaller and slightly quavering, but ringing as well as he stepped forward with Hermione, who nodded.

"Headmaster--the centaurs are here," Snape called suddenly, rubbing his bruised ribs and peering through a window by the great doors. Harry could see the outlines of dozens of centaurs, even, apparently, some females, standing in the silvery sheet of new rain.

"Ah--very good; thank you, Rachel."

Dumbledore turned at the door.

"I am going to inform them of our situation. Minervera, go to my office, please. We need to establish a base. Gather all faculty, except Lupin, and wait for me there. Harry, you go too--the password, for later reference, is 'Jelly Slug'. Thedon's men should be there soon. Station three of them outside the entrance to the Slytherin House common room. Ron and Hermione--I am afraid you our not ours to endanger," he said regretfully. They both looked prepared to protest. "However... I would like you to stand by in Gryffindor Tower. I may well need more reinforcements, and you two are willing and only weeks from the acceptable age, namely, graduation. Do not let on that the prophesized battle is commencing."

"But--Professor," Ron said. "We're not children and... we realize what we're doing! Harry--"

"True as that is, Ronald, I am not explaining to your mother how each of her sons is now on the battlefield. You are not out of school. If a part of the prophecy turns out to affect you, we will call. Go now."

When Dumbledore decides something, it is decided. Even Ron kept his mouth shut when he heard the headmaster's firm voice, though he looked dismayed. Without another word, Dumbledore turned and went to greet the centaurs, conjuring a purple umbrella on the steps.

McGonagall turned and hurried to her duty, with the purpose and efficiency of a trusted general. Hagrid had left to tie up Fang to watch for Death Eaters as a sort of alarm bell if need be. Snape swept past Rachel.

"Come on, Potter; to the Headmaster's office."

Harry looked back at his friends. If they weren't going to come, than... could this possibly be the last time they ever saw each other? None of them seemed to know what to say, or do.

"Look... just go back. It's alright. I mean, like Dumbledore said..."

"Oh, Harry... but this could..." Hermione's eyes filled with tears.

"Can't you always use more wands?" Ron protested loudly. "I mean--"

"Enough!" Snape growled, whipping around impatiently. "You three," he pointed at Ron, Hermione, and Rachel, "Are students. You will be a hindrance. The teachers are bound to protect you. If want to help us, think of something other than yourselves and get out of the way!"

Harry closed his eyes. He hadn't thought of that; the teachers were probably under a powerful magic oath saying something like that.

"Just--just go," he said bitterly. "Look, maybe it's better this way. Just go back--we probably haven't got much time."

He gripped Ron's shoulder for a fraction of a second, then Hermione's hand. Meagre farewells that they were, he hoped against hope that they wouldn't be the last. When he took Rachel's cold hand, still smeared with blood, a lump caught in his throat. A fresh (normal) tear left a clean path on her cheek.

"Rachel..." he couldn't think of anything to say.

She tried to articulate something, but she couldn't speak, either. Before Snape called him again, Harry started to go, not taking his hand away. Rachel held on desperately, and when he went farther away from her, her empty hand was left, shaking slightly, in the air.

"It'll be okay..." Harry whispered before turning his face away.

Rachel stared after him, drawing her hand slowly back.

"No..." she whispered, very softly, very late. Hermione gave Ron an anxious, tearful look.

"Get into the tower!" Snape called without turning back.

Harry followed him down a stretch of stone corridor, hurrying toward Dumbledore's office and the hasty, urgent meeting surely beginning there. They had only gone a few hundred yards past the entrance to Gryffindor Tower when they met Lupin.

"Did you find anyone?" Snape asked sharply.

"Ah... no. Not yet."

Lupin looked tense for some reason, his eyes darting between Harry and Snape.

"Do you know where Flitwick is?" Snape said in the same short, direct tone, taking the broken halves of his wand out of his pocket and examining them as he walked. Professor Flitwick was adept at wand repairs.

"No, I--" Lupin stopped short when he saw Snape's now-useless wand. His eyes snapped back to Harry.

"I, uh, I don't."

Lupin's awkwardness caught Snape's attention. He turned to look at him, eyebrows contracting with puzzlement. Then Lupin looked up. Snape's eyes widened. His lips began to form some brief word of budding suspicion that he never got out, and darted a glance at Harry. Lupin stiffened. As comprehension spread over Snape's features, the other professor adopted a frozen, tense air, as though standing on a bridge that he fast realized was crumbling.

"Uh--Professor?"

But Snape and Lupin were still for only a heartbeat or two, before they snapped. It was Snape who lunged first, but Lupin was only a fraction of a second behind him. Harry's confused address turned into a shocked yell. Snape dropped his useless weapon and went straight for Lupin's wrist, slamming it hard against the wall before Lupin could curse him away. Harry raised his own wand but it soared out of his hand--Lupin had wildly cried an 'Expelliarmus' spell, trying to get Snape off of him. Harry started toward the wand laying twenty feet away, hesitated, and then ran instead at Snape. He was using wandless magic, Harry saw. His hand other hand was directly over Lupin's heart, and Lupin was fast going limp. Harry tried to pull Snape off.

"Traitor!" he heard himself yelling furiously.

"Potter!" Snape growled, but Harry had his arm around his throat. He choked and staggered away from Lupin, who sagged against the wall and crumpled to the ground. Harry yelled for help; Snape was twisting violently and pulling both of Harry's arms away. Suddenly the flesh around his neck became unbearably hot, and Harry reflexively let go, crying out. A jolt like an electric shock had gone through his body, and now his heart was painfully throbbing. He knew he wasn't injured, though. He turned back for his wand, but Snape grabbed his wrist and held on.

"Potter, listen to me! You don't understand--"

"It's you, isn't it! That's how the battle is coming here--you're going to help them again, after all that!"

Another painful shock pulsed in his chest. Harry's entire body jerked, but Snape held on to him achingly tightly.

"Listen to me!"

"What would you have done to Rachel and me if Bane hadn't shown up?"

"IMPEDIMENTA!"

Snape soared away from Harry, his feet actually leaving the ground for a moment before he slammed hard into the ground ten feet away. Harry looked behind him. Ron was striding toward him with his wand held out and his face grim. Hermione was behind him, running. Rachel looked stunned.

"We heard yelling... what's going on?"

"Are you alright?" Hermione interrupted shrilly.

"I'm fine--he just attacked Lupin!"

Rachel was pale. Her eyes widened when she saw Lupin's crumpled figure at the base of the wall.

"But--it doesn't make sense..." she whispered. "Why..."

"So you're a traitor after all!" Ron redirected his wand at Snape, who had risen and was making his way to Harry.

"You idiots, there isn't time! Don't you know what day this is?"

Harry frowned. This question was so out of place that it actually slowed him more effectively than a Stunner for a little while.

"You keep away!" Ron said fiercely.

"Look at him, for God's sake!" Snape continued to stride toward them. "He couldn't--"

"Don't move," Rachel said in a steely, harsh voice, stepping ahead of Ron and Harry and pointing her wand directly between Snape's eyes. Her confused, stunned expression was gone. Her jawline was set and tight, and pure loathing streamed from her eyes. But she was shaking, and at the same time looked ready to cry. Snape's lip curled and he began to say something else, but winced as bright white sparks shot out of the tip of Rachel's wand.

"I said don't move!" she shouted, suddenly, harshly. Harry had never heard her voice so hard and fierce.

"Put it down," Snape hissed through clenched teeth. Hermione, meanwhile, hurried to Lupin's side.

"He looks alright--should we revive him?"

"No! Stay away!" Snape shot at her, his own voice strained. For a moment he looked actually panicked. "Granger, listen to me--the moon is past its climax. It should have risen fully an hour ago--look at him!"

Harry still had no idea what he was talking about, but Hermione's eyes widened. She slowly checked her watch, then stared at Lupin. Then she gasped, jumping back from his side.

"Oh my--Look! He should have transformed by now, but he's still... human..."

"Yeah..." Ron said hesitantly, not lowering his wand. "He's--he's on Wolfsbane, right?"

"That, Weasley, is why you never made it into my N.E.W.T. class," Snape said sharply, his tone regaining a bit of its usual acid.

"Wolfsbane doesn't stop him from transforming... it only lets him keep his mind..." Rachel murmured, her expression slowly disintegrating. She lowered her wand slowly. "But that means..."

"That isn't Lupin!" Snape shouted impatiently. "And he'll wake soon!"

He snatched Rachel's wand from her hand and Stunned Lupin, who was just beginning to stir. Then he murmured,

"Expungo personatus."

A beam of reddish light bathed the hall, and Lupin began to twitch. Then, quite suddenly, Lupin was gone, and Lucius Malfoy was lying against the wall. Ron's eyes widened with shock.

"There, for God's sake..." Snape muttered, waving the wand again and conjuring thick ropes that wrapped around Malfoy's wrists, ankles, and mouth. "You bloody idiots!" Rachel could not seem to decide whether to look relieved or not.

"We need to get to Dumbledore and tell him that they're in the castle," Harry said quickly.

"I know that, Potter!" Snape looked back toward the entrance, than up the hallway toward Dumbledore's study.

"You go ahead and tell everyone in his office. I will inform Dumbledore. If you meet anyone along the way, ask them to show you Fawkes. If they don't know what you're talking about, stun them immediately."

"Alright..."

But Harry met nobody before he, Ron, Hermione, and Rachel all skidded to a halt outside the door to Dumbledore's office.

"Jelly Slug!" Harry panted at it.

The gargoyle hopped aside with a reverent nod and Harry and the others hurried up the staircase. Harry opened the door, and, for a moment, was stunned.

Dumbledore's desk, along with all other furniture and devices, had been moved, either against the wall or to some other room. The office seemed even larger than usual, although it was packed to the brim with Aurors, Order members, and teachers. There were at least fifty people present, and even as Harry watched, Bill Weasley came shooting out of Dumbledore's fireplace. Professor McGonagall, who stood at the head of a large table conjured in the middle of the room, noticed him and called.

"Mr. Potter--and... what is going on here?" she said sharply, upon seeing Ron, Hermione, and Rachel. Harry cleared his throat. Most of the room had gone silent, and was watching him.

"Professor... Snape sent us ahead to tell you..." Harry didn't know exactly how to say it, so he simply did.

"There are already Death Eaters in Hogwarts."

The Deputy Headmistress went pale with shock. Surprised talk immediately flared up, but died at McGonagall's raised voice.

"Where is Professor Snape?"

"He went to tell Dumbledore."

"Very well..." McGonagall shook her head slightly, then regained both her focused look and crisp tone.

"How do you know this?"

Harry quickly told her what had happened in the corridor. Almost as soon as he finished speaking, the door opened behind him and Professors Dumbledore and Snape entered the room.

"Ah--I see Harry has informed you all of the circumstances?"

McGonagall nodded.

"Very good," Dumbledore replied calmly. "As some of you may or may not know, we have a simple enough way to combat impostors--of which it seems Mr. Malfoy, currently locked away on the seventh floor, is the only one so far. Voldemort has placed Protean Charms on his followers' left wrists, in the shape of a Dark Mark. Now, I would not be so presumptuous as to bind you to my service forever, nor to burn my mark onto your flesh, but I believe a temporary sign would serve us well. If, when you are not in this office, you encounter any ally, ask them to show you Fawkes. In response, they are to reveal their right wrist, where our sign will be placed, since the enemy probably has ripened Polyjuice Potions ready for a drop of blood or a bit of hair from an unconscious prisoner. Does anyone have a problem taking this mark?" Dumbledore asked mildly.

"What if our alliance is bound to someone else?" One man asked coolly, stepping forward. He was very tall, and seemed to be in fairly good shape for a man his age, which Harry guessed to be around fifty-five. His dull grey hair was worn in a long ponytail, and he had a medallion with some kind of intricate, twisting engraving on a leather cord around his neck. Dumbledore's look at him was not hostile.

"No need to worry, Fergus, I'm sure--"

"Somerset's orders were to do as Dumbledore says, McDermott!" cried another man angrily. He was younger and had short, choppy dark hair.

"Thank you, Kieran," Dumbledore said firmly. He turned his attention back to the Auror who had protested. "I assure you that Matthias Somerset will agree to whatever means I find necessary, not only because he and I have planned closely together, but because he himself is under orders from Justinian Thedon. However, if you wish to wait until he arrives, I will not force you to do anything."

McDermott raised his hands at the mention of the Head of Magical Defence's and Minister of Magic's names.

"Just making sure," he reassured, and stepped back. Harry was fleetingly glad that Fudge was no longer Minister, and Ministry Aurors could be obtained without trouble.

"Harry."

He turned to Dumbledore.

"May I see your wrist, please?"

Harry unhesitantly rolled up his sleeve and presented his hand to Dumbledore.

"This may sting a bit..." the headmaster murmured, placing the tip of his wand on Harry's skin. His flesh grew warm, then hot, then he felt a quick, sharp pain, like a bee sting. It faded quickly, however, and Harry looked at the mark of alliance he now bore on his arm. It was like a fire drawn in black ink, and two tongues of flame grew into wings near the top. A phoenix's plumed head rose majestically out of the fire. Dumbledore took his arm and raised it high.

"This is the mark you will take to distinguish yourselves from marauding Death Eaters," he explained. "It should fade within about forty-eight hours. In case we find ourselves at a point where there is no time to ask for Fawkes, I advise each of you to also roll the right sleeve of your robes up slightly--although I would not count on this alone."

Soon everyone was hastening to Dumbledore, as the charm could only be applied by him. Harry stayed beside him to hear the reports people gave him. He was starting to feel tense and jumpy. If the battle was going to start--well, start it already!

"Sir, I've got about fifteen or twenty goblins coming--I had to switch to one-on-one conversations; the leaders aren't taking a side either way," Bill Weasley told him anxiously, rolling up his sleeve. "A lot of goblins had family who were victims of his, though..."

"That's fine, fine," Dumbledore said quietly, unperturbed, as Bill didn't seem to be, by the small number. "Much better fifteen goblins than none at all."

Hagrid also had an interesting account.

"Olympe says if she c'n get down fast enough, she's gonna try an' get one more giant to Portkey over here. She says she's got one of 'em in mind, a big female named Skulatha, who still might come... an' Grawp'll fight if I tell 'im to," he added, looking down.

Dumbledore thanked him with a hand on his shoulder.

When everyone had been marked (Dumbledore had Ron, Hermione, and Rachel take it too--even though they weren't fighting, a Death Eater impersonating a student would still cause havoc) Dumbledore called their attention for a plan of action. Harry looked around the room, at the people who were about to fight the 'battle to decide the age'. The Weasleys, everyone in the family except Ginny, were all gathered in one corner, around a tearful Mrs. Weasley. Tonks and Chris Connor had gravitated to each other, their young faces anxious but brave in the flickering torchlight. Aurors, young and old, the best of the magical world, stood with their friends and fight-mates, people who had probably before risked life and limb for each other. The rain struck against the windows with almost unnatural force.

"We do not know how they are going to strike, or when," Dumbledore began. "But it is clear they intend to attack here, and soon. I believe the best way to defend against them is to send out our people in waves, to roam the halls of the school. That way we can hopefully prevent a surprise attack, as well as prevent them from gathering in their own headquarters, perhaps a certain classroom or the library. Meanwhile, centaurs and soon, hopefully, a giant or two will be protecting the outside of the castle. This place will be our main meeting hall, planning area, and makeshift hospital." He nodded to Madame Pomfrey, the Hogwarts nurse, and some witches in St. Mungo's robes who must have just come out of the fireplace. "Anything suspicious is to be reported here immediately. The Head of Defence and occasionally the Minister will be reporting here soon. We will also receive a contingent of goblin allies. Special attention should be paid to the Slytherin common room, as many students there have parents who are in allegiance with Voldemort. I do not want any of them to see their parents battling and torturing, or... or be tempted to assist them."

Dumbledore looked around the room.

"This will be a long night," he said, more quietly. "And likely a painful one."

Mrs. Weasley gripped her husband and the sons nearest to her, closing her eyes.

"If I had the authority each one of you would receive first class Orders of Merlin, for that would be the least possible way to commend you for your courage. All I can do is thank you sincerely--and I do, from the deepest part of my being." Dumbledore inclined his head at the room of soldiers against Voldemort.

"Now--may I have volunteers for the first wave of scouts?"

Soon about a dozen people had been assembled, and swept together out the office door. Among them were Charlie Weasley, Mundungus Fletcher, Sturgis Podmore, and Snape. They were to make one thorough round of the castle, then report back if nothing seemed unusual. If they encountered Death Eaters they would contact Dumbledore for reinforcements; Charlie carried a phoenix feather for this purpose. After they left Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"Your map would come in quite handy at this time," he said serenely. "I would like you to go with an escort and get it."

Harry tried to say 'yes,' but his throat suddenly stuck. He nodded.

"Minervera, Hagrid," Dumbledore summoned. "Will you go with him to Gryffindor Tower to fetch something?"

"'Course," Hagrid replied with gusto, and Professor McGonagall nodded briskly. Soon they, too, were slipping down the empty, dark corridors, wands out and bodies tense.

"How do I get it without stirring everybody up?" Harry asked. Again, it felt like he should whisper.

"Do not say anything," McGonagall muttered back, "About the battle. I'll go with you to keep the students back."

Harry crept up the Gryffindor Tower staircase with a nervous glance at the entrance, as though the doors might burst open any second and Voldemort, with a horde of Death Eaters would charge through. He saw the shadow-like outline of a centaur pass by a window through the rain, and McGonagall poked him in the back. He went on.

When Harry dropped out of the portrait hole, a sudden blast of speech almost forced him back.

"Harry!"

"Harry, what's going on?"

"Are the Death Eaters at Hogsmead?"

"Harry!"

"Have Aurors gone and fought them yet?"

"Harry! Someone's missing!"

"I can't talk right now!" he shouted. "I--wait! Howie--Howie, what did you say?"

"We're not all here!" the prefect said desperately, and McGonagall sent a bright purple firecracker into the air for silence.

"Who's missing, Dirsch?" she asked urgently. "How long?"

"Well, Rachel Connor, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were here, but they left about--"

"Oh," Harry cut him off, immensely relieved. "No, don't worry about that--they're in Dumbledore's office. They're okay."

"No, it's not just them--Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley never came up, either."

Harry froze. McGonagall recovered quickly.

"The map, Potter!" she said, her voice tight and sharp as a whip crack. Harry raced up the stairs to his bedroom. It was empty; everybody seemed to want to stay close to their friends and fellow House members in the bright, safe common room. He pulled the map out of his trunk and tapped it with his wand, saying the charm to reveal its markings. He flew back down the stairs examining it.

"I don't see them, Professor," he panted into the silent room. Professor McGonagall bent her head and looked with him. For a moment they both searched, tensely, quickly, while Gryffindor stared.

"No one saw them at Hogsmeade either..." McGonagall whispered, straightening her glasses. Harry kept looking, racing with his eyes through empty stone halls... and then he saw them.

He couldn't breathe for a moment. He grabbed McGonagall's arm and croaked,

"The library..."

For inside the large, rectangular box that made up the library were three small, labelled dots. The first was Neville Longbottom. He stood across from Ginny Weasley, who was so close to the other dot Harry thought one must be holding on to the other. The third dot was labelled Bellatrix Lestrange.

Without a word McGonagall turned back to the portrait hole, pulling Harry's arm.

"No one is to leave this common room!" she shouted over her shoulder. She left the students to their frantic calls and questions and clamoured through the entrance hole with Harry. When the Fat Lady swung back into position she put a Sticking Charm on her, than a Locking Hex.

"Do you not trust me?" The Fat Lady yelled indignantly, but McGonagall, Harry, and Hagrid were already running down the hall.

"To the library, Hagrid; hurry! One Death Eater--two students! Group is on the other side of the castle!" the Head of Gryffindor House panted.

"All right?" Hagrid asked her, concerned.

"Yes, yes..." McGonagall, whom Harry suddenly realized must be at least seventy, gasped. She then morphed into a cat, right before Harry's eyes, picked up her wand in her mouth, and was able to run much faster. Soon they were in front of the library. Harry yanked on the handle and almost fell over backward; it was locked tightly. He pointed his wand at it, but Hagrid shouldered it with all his might, and the thick oak squealed out of its hinges, crashing onto the floor. He, Harry, and the human-again McGonagall scrambled over it and raced into the large Hogwarts library. Harry heard yelling.

"We'll see who goes madder--your parents with their mere physical pain--"

It seemed to be coming from the back. Harry cried out as he ran, and Hagrid charged ahead. McGonagall, wheezing, sent a wisp of Patronus over her shoulder.

"--or you with your broken heart!"

Harry's head whipped back and forth, looking down endless stacks and shelves and rows of books. The voice echoed and seemed even farther off. Where were they, damn it? Harry was becoming increasingly frantic. More voices added to the confusion.

"No!"

"Neville--Neville!"

"I'll kill you!"

Laughter; mad, maniacal, shrill, horrifying laughter...

"Neville--I love you!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Nooooo!"

"Neville! Ginny!"

The last yell was Harry's own. A silvery Patronus finally shot from McGonagall's wand, and Hagrid cried out, finding them. He turned down into a cleared studying space and his large, heavy feet pounded away. Harry followed. What he saw made him freeze.

Bellatrix Lestrange was sending Stunner after Stunner at Hagrid, but they were bouncing off his chest and face as he howled with rage. Neville was behind Lestrange, about five yards away, straining against conjured ropes, tears flowing freely down his face. Between them lay two broken wands, and... Ginny.

Her eyes were closed, facing the ceiling. Although her hands were tied behind her back and her face was pale, she looked rather peaceful. For some reason Professor Trelawney's voice spoke in Harry's mind.

'Signs will tell...'

Hagrid finally to his knees fell feet from Lestrange, having taken at least ten Stunners. He swayed. Harry raised his wand, but was too numb to think of a spell. Lestrange looked up at him, just as McGonagall raced in front of him. A curse of hers hit Lestrange's shoulder before she could react, and she cried out in pain. Harry heard footsteps pounding up the other end of the library, behind the bookshelves. Lestrange composed herself and started cursing again.

'Move!' Harry screamed at himself as Lestrange and McGonagall battled. 'MOVE!'

'When the girl enraptured cries tears of blood...'

McGonagall stumbled. Harry could only stare at Ginny's body. Ginny... he had seen her just yesterday... she was Ron's kid sister... Ginny couldn't die... Ginny?

Neville moaned.

Suddenly, the person who had been running toward them slid around the corner, and--howled. Harry's brain first flickered with confusion at the creature he saw, but then he realized who he was--Lupin, a fully transformed Lupin. He leapt clean over Neville and landed with a thud, just inches from sinking his fangs into Lestrange. She screamed shrilly and ran, darting past Harry and McGonagall, but Lupin was much faster. He regained his balance and flew after her, snarling wildly. She dropped her wand in panic; McGonagall Stunned her in the back and she fell. It seemed to be all Lupin could do not to bite her.

Hagrid, who was waking up, stumbled to Neville and ripped the bonds from his wrists. Neville staggered to Ginny and fell beside her, taking her up into his arms and choking. She was limp.

'And other young lovers give a final embrace...'

Neville choked again, this time sounding like he was going to be ill. Harry, legs shaking, may have joined him. But Neville's choke turned into a retch. Harry frowned. He looked like he was going red. Something was very wrong with him, other than the shock and pain.... Hagrid stepped forward and went to look at him, but something glinted on the ground. He picked it up as Neville collapsed, still holding Ginny. Suddenly Hagrid groaned loudly, his voice transforming into a blasting curse of rage.

He held a small vial in his hands, clearly marked with a skull. Neville had been made to watch Ginny die as he sat, bound and quickly dying of poison himself. The school bell, tolling midnight, joined Hagrid's wail, McGonagall's gasp, Lupin's snarl, and Harry's gag as he vomited a bellyful of water against a wall.

'...other young lovers give a final embrace... the bells will sound and the battle will begin.'