the hallows - f. weasley

- c h a p t e r - t w e n t y-f o u r -

 Gemma snuck in with Harry–her eyes quickly taking in the crowded Great Hall. Every table was filled with students–all dishevelled and wide-eyed as school ghosts hovered around, looking just as stressed. And their eyes were all planted on the grim face of Professor McGonagall–the rest of the school teachers behind her (including Firenze the centaur and the members of the Order).

They had walked in on Professor McGonagall speaking, listening as she said, "...evacuation will be overseen by Mr. Filch and Madam Pomfrey. Prefects, when I give the word, you will organise your House and take your charges, in an orderly fashion, to the evacuation point."

Gemma couldn't help but feel bad for the terrified-looking students, including all the first-years who had not been expecting to get stuck in the middle of a giant war.

Harry pulled her along with him–both looking for Hermione and Ron who were nowhere to be seen.

Ernie stood up from the Hufflepuff table and shouted, "And what if we want to stay and fight?"

A handful of students clapped as Professor McGonagall answered, "If you are of age, you may stay."

"What about our things?" A girl Gemma recognised as Bella James asked at the Ravenclaw table. "Our trunks, our owls?"

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

"Where's Professor Snape?" Another girl from the Slytherin table called.

"He has, to use the common phrase, done a bunk," Professor McGonagall sighed–earning a great cheer from the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws.

Gemma tried not to look when people whispered her and Harry's names as they passed by–still looking for Ron and Hermione.

"We have already placed protection around the castle," Professor McGonagall continued, "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—"

Gemma's hand twitched when a new voice interrupted her–sounding like a monster coming from inside the walls of Hogwarts itself: "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."

Gemma looked at Harry–her eyes enormous as they both recognised the voice hissing at them from a bodiless person.

Voldemort.

"Give me Harry Potter," Voldemort proceeded in his pretentious, cold voice, "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. And perhaps the girl you have known as Gemma Hilton–the daughter of a previous professor, Remus Lupin–and you will earn a reward for helping me catch something the Boy Who Lived holds most dear...You have until midnight."

Gemma swallowed thickly next to Harry as every single pair of eyes turned to the two–not really being able to hide with Gemma's red hair and the tell-tale scar on Harry's forehead.

Her hand wrapped around her wand as she unconsciously moved in front of her brother when Pansy Parkinson stood from the Slytherin table and screamed, "But he's there! They both are! Potter and Hil-Lupin's there! Someone grab them!"

Gemma was ready for a war within the student body–but before she could do anything, Gryffindor's entire table stood and barricaded, blocking them from view.