The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

Coward

The school was called to the great hall, so everyone gathered with their houses and made their way down. Harry got into some Gryffindor robes, sneaking in with Ginny. When they arrive, they are welcomed with Snape standing in the great hall expectantly.

"Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you here at this hour. It has come to my attention that earlier this evening... Harry Potter was sighted in Hogsmeade." Snape starts, murmurs starting within the students. "I mention this in the hopes that truth will not be supplanted by rumor. For myself and a few select members of the staff this comes as little surprise."

"We have, for some time, considered Mr. Potter's return to Hogwarts to be not only possible but inevitable. Consequently, in the past several months and under my specific direction, exhaustive defensive strategies have been employed to defeat any attempt Mr. Potter might make to breach these walls."

"But know this. Should anyone, student or staff, attempt to aid Mr. Potter, that person will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Rest assured: So long as I am Headmaster at Hogwarts, Harry Potter will never again step foot in this castle."

"Now then. If anyone here has knowledge of Mr. Potter's movements this evening... I invite them to step forward now." Snape commands.

A figure makes itself known in the back of the great hall, and everyone looks over in hope.

"I think I can help you out with that...It would seem that, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster." Harry states, showing himself and Hermione, Carson, and Ron come out as well, along with the rest of the order.

"And I'm afraid it's rather extensive."

The Carrows, who had been moving towards Harry, falter, turn to Snape with uncertainty. Harry's eyes narrow with malice as he stares at Snape.

"How dare you stand where he stood." Harry starts, taking out his wand and pointing it at him. "Tell them how it was that night. Tell then how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you... and killed him. Tell them!"

Snape makes eye contact with Harry, but his eyes show no emotion. He raises his wand, as McGonagall steps in and sends a spell. From there it was pure chaos, and spells flew everywhere. Snape quickly fled, as McGonagall raged.

"Coward! COWARD! And he didn't even stay to fight!" She shouts, turning to Harry. "Mr. Potter, do you mind telling me what you're doing here, which, I trust you realize, is an act of complete and utter lunacy?"

"I'm a Gryffindor."

"I thought it might have something to do with that.." McGonagall turns to the room. "All right! Settle down! Settle down! It appears that your Headmaster, to use the common phrase, has done a bunk."

A scream tears through the room, and everyone sees a first year girl covering her ears in pain. Carson rushes over to the girl to see if she's okay. As the girl grimaces in pain and Carson tries to help her, Harry hears a voice in his head, along with a few others.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think this wise. But this is folly." Voldemort sounded throughout their heads.

"I wish you no harm. I have great respect for the students of Hogwarts. I was once one myself after all. I ask for but one thing and if granted no magical blood shall be spilt..." Voldemort continued, as Hermione fell to the floor, and Carson covered her ears instead of his own with his hands, helping her and the first year girl. Both were leaned into him, as he tried his best to cover their ears, pushing through the pain.

"Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded." Voldemort tells them, and then the voice fades away.

The whispers come back as everyone uncovers their ears and gets up, all looking at Harry.

"But he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!" Pansy Parkinson shouts, earning everyone's attention.

"Students out of bed! Students in the corridors!" Filch shouts, bursting into the room.

"They're supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!" McGonagall shouts.

"Oh. Sorry, mum." Filch dismissed, turning away.

"Wait! As it turns out, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I'd like you to lead Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin House from the Hall."

"Right away. Where should I lead them to?"

"The dungeons should do." McGonagall instructs, sending the Slytherins off. "I presume you have a reason for returning, Potter. What is it you need?"

"Time. As much as you can give me."

"Do what you have to do. I'll secure the castle."

"Is that even possible Minnie?" Carson asks her, as she smiles at him.

"We teachers are rather good at magic, Potter. We've even been known to turn out a worthwhile witch or wizard on occasion. I think it's time I ask a few of them to take their magic beyond the classroom. What d'you think?" She questions, as everyone looks around.

"I think you're right." Harry tells her.

"By the way, Potter... It's good to see you. You too Carson. I've heard from Mary, congratulations to you and Miss Granger."

"Thank you Minnie. I can call you that right?"

"You may. By the way, you'd make quite the healer. You were good with that first year, and Miss Granger."

As they walk down the corridors, Neville goes over the plan again. "Let me get this straight, Professor. You're giving us permission to do this?"

"That is correct, Longbottom."

"To blow it up? Boom?"

"Boom."

"Wicked. Um... exactly how do you propose we do this, Professor?"

"Why don't you and Carson confer with Mr. Finnegan. As I recall, he has a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics."

"I can bring er down!"

"That's the spirit. Now off you go."