Say You Won't Let Go || Bill Weasley

Ninety Three: The Battle of Hogwarts

By the time the Weasley family entered the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall was standing on the risen platform in the front of the hall as the rest of the Order of the Phoenix filed in behind her. The ceiling still had its enchantment; the sky was dark and filled with stars, though clouds were beginning to roll in. Students sat along the four long tables, houses intermixed, mostly looking scared or disheveled in both travel cloaks and night clothes.

Isabelle didn't hear most of what she was saying to the students as bits and pieces of her nightmares flashed in her memory, gripping onto Bill's hand like she was going to lose him. She had already scanned the crowd for familiar students and was at least somewhat relieved to see many not there, including Eleanor. They heard very little from the Branstone family over the time they were in hiding, but as far as they knew, they were alive and hiding, too, and kept Eleanor from school.

"... evacuation will be overseen by Mr. Filch and Madam Pomfrey. Prefects, when I give the word, you will organize your house and take your charges, in an orderly fashion, to the evacuation point," McGonagall said.

One Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan, stood up. "And what if we want to stay and fight?"

"If you are of age, you may stay," she said.

"What about our things?" One girl from Ravenclaw asked. "Our trunks, our owls?"

Isabelle had not given a thought as to what would happen to all of the pets that were still at Hogwarts who could potentially get caught in the crossfire, and she hoped she wouldn't have to find out.

"We have no time to collect possessions," McGonagall said. "The important thing is to get you out of here safely."

"Where's Professor Snape?" A girl from Slytherin asked.

"He has, to use the common phrase, done a bunk," McGonagall said, bringing about many cheers from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and, surprisingly, a few Slytherin.

Isabelle finally saw Harry, trying to go unnoticed by sneaking alongside the Gryffindor table, probably looking for Ron and Hermione, who she couldn't seem to find either. Many students did notice him, though, breaking out into whispers as more and more students turned toward him.

"We have already placed protection around the castle," McGonagall continued on, "but it is unlikely to hold for very long unless we reinforce it. I must ask you, therefore, to move quickly and calmly, and do as your prefects-"

She was cut off as a different voice began to echo through the hall. It was a voice Isabelle had never heard before, and it was high, cold, and dark. Bill immediately drew her closer as it spoke.

"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."

The screams from students had fallen into a silence as the voice continued.

"Give me Harry Potter and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."

Every head seemed to turn toward Harry with wide eyes all around where he froze. No one said a word until they heard a whiney voice attached to a Slytherin girl with an arm in the air.

"Potter's there! Someone grab him!" Pansy Parkinson screeched.

Isabelle's eyes glanced back over to Harry, who looked as though he was about to say something, but he was cut off by movement all around him. First stood the Gryffindors, then the Hufflepuffs, then Ravenclaws, all pulling wands from pockets and cloaks while facing Pansy and the other Slytherins.