Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 116 - Hogwarts Fall

I feel a bit bad stealing from Pomfrey, but I remind myself of my mission.  The bottles clink in my pocket as I leave the room.  Once alone again, I cast an unbreaking charm on the glass so that they don't get crushed prematurely.  I hope that what I have is enough.  I put the bottle of blood-replenishing potion and the vial of anti-venom in my bra, deciding that would be safest.  I can't have them falling out of my robe pocket.

The had long set in the sky as I rushed through the halls, trying to figure out what to do.  As I walk down the corridor, something catches my attention.  My jaw drops when I see none other than Harry Potter following Luna Lovegood through the hall.  It really is happening now.  I panic for Harry's recklessness, but then he covers both himself and Luna in a shimmering fabric and they disappear.  

Seems like the kid has some tricks up his sleeve.  

I would follow and try to help, but I have no clue where they might have gone.  And it's too sensitive of a time to try and tap into my abilities again.  Frustrated and feeling helpless, I head to the great hall.  I enter through the doors, the room completely empty.

I sit down at the Hufflepuff table where I used to sit growing up and fought back tears.  I am so scared.  I don't know if I'm strong enough to save those I love.  What if I fail?  What if they die because of me?

After about fifteen minutes, the doors burst open and people start flooding in.  I keep my head down, hiding myself behind my hair.  The red had grown out months ago, leaving me with my natural dull brown hair.  I peek through and gasp when I see none other than Tonks stroll into the room with Remus.  

I avert my gaze, scared that the people who think I betrayed them will restrain me or something.  I jump when someone sits beside me.

"Hey, friend."  Tonks says softly, and I burst into tears.  I can't help it.  "Hey, kid.  It's okay."

She wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly.  Her arm touches my bite and I wince.  She pauses, pulling my robe and collar down to see the wound.

"No."  She whispers, immediately recognizing what it is. 

"I'm fine."  I lie, wiping the traitorous tears off of my face.  "How's Teddy?"

"You know about Teddy?"  She brightens at the mention of her son.

"Yeah.  I knew before you did."  I chuckle with a smile.

"You and your crazy visions."  She teases, nudging my ribs with her elbow.

"Indeed.  I missed you though."  I let my head fall onto her shoulder.

"After this is over, you should come stay with me and Remus.  He can help you with the transformations, and you can meet Teddy."  She offers.

"That would be a dream come true."  I sniff, wiping my nose on my sleeve.

But then the moment is over.  A familiar group of red heads enters the room, and I shrink behind Tonks.  I see Fred for the first time in ten months.  His hair is shorter, and he looks like he's grown up a lot.  George trails behind him and I frown when I see the scarred hole on the side of his head.  

But then Harry enters the room, and everyone's attention is focused on him.  McGonagall also joins the now crowded hall and starts passing out orders for evacuation.  She announces that anyone under age must leave, only allowing students over seventeen to stay.  There are protests, especially from some of the Gryffindors, but she stands firm. 

"Where's Professor Snape?"  Someone calls out.

"He has, to use a common phrase, done a bunk."  McGonagall announces, resulting in loud cheering.  I don't join in.  She resumes orders, but is interrupted by a chilling voice.

"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."  Voldemort pauses before continuing.  "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."

After a long, thick silence, some of the Slytherins call for Harry to be handed over.  Barely restraining her temper, McGonagall dismisses the entire Slytherin house, and then all of the underage students.  

Kingsley start announcing the plan, and the twins immediately volunteer to do the defense for the secret passageways.  Ginny's eyes meet mine from the Gryffindor table, pointedly telling me to follow.  I give her a subtle nod, promising I'll take care of her brothers.  

After Kingsley finished his orders, everyone disperses.  I take off after the twins.  However, they do something I'm not expecting.  They split up.  I panic, not knowing which one to follow.  But then I reason with myself.  

Required's Hall.  

I have a location.  I know where to go.  I take off for the seventh floor corridor.  I find a pillar to hide behind and wait.  Not long after I arrive, Harry, Ron, and Hermione do as well.  I watch as Harry paced in front of the door, silently mouthing something.  After his third pass, a door I've never seen before appears and the trio enters.  

I grip my wand tightly in my hand.  Nervously waiting once again.  

About a minute after the Gryffindors enter, Draco Malfoy and his two henchboys, Crabbe, and Goyle run up to the door, followed by a Death Eater in full robes.

Trying to stay as hidden as I can, I cast a leg-locker jinx on the adult, sending him toppling to the ground.  Swearing, he casts a counter, freeing himself.

"You go get Potter, I'll deal with this."  He snaps jumping to his feet.  I throw a disarming spell at him, but miss as he ducks out of the way.  They three Slytherin boys duck into the room of requirements as I start frantically throwing spells at the Death Eater.  

"Stupefy!"  I cast, missing once again.

"Oh, a little girl thinks she can best me."  The man chuckles, casting some sort of spell the made the pillar I'm hiding in front of explode into rubble.  I feel a chunk scrap across my arm, leaving a bleeding scrape.  

"Expelliarmus!"  I shout, tapping into my newfound wolf rage as I step from my hiding place.  The spell hits the man, sending his wand into my hand.  Clutching both sticks, I cast another stunning spell, this time landing it.  The man topples to the ground and I use my wand to move him out of the way.  I cast a binding spell, just in case he wakes up.

Suddenly, the door to the room or requirements bursts open and five out of the six kids who enter tumble out.  I am about to go see if I can assist, when my sensitive hearing picks up the sound of a familiar voice. 

Fred.  

No.  

I'm not ready.

Please.

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