just for me ⚘ a Fred Weasley Fanfiction

105. the battle erupts

cw~

Despite how hard everyone tried to remain calm, the Great Hall had descended into chaos. Students raced out of the room, past the prefects and heads of houses, trying to be the first tp safety. The braver ones stayed back to argue their right to fight, desperate to prove themselves and help. Harry had disappeared into the crowd, Ron and Hermione hadn't been seen in ages, and Juniper felt as helpless as ever, clinging onto Fred's arm like it was a lifeline. Kingsley had tried to send him off with George and Percy to separate them, but Fred had quickly disregarded that order with a simple 'No'. So instead, Juniper tagged alongside them, dragging Matilda into their group as they passed her on their way out.
They were assigned the job of blocking off the secret passageways, something that Juniper knew she'd be no help with it, trailing behind the twins as they led the way. Percy delegated the task of protection to her and Matilda, both of them making a game of walking backwards and trying to not fall over. It wasn't much, but it was enough to lighten the mood.
They had managed to seal off five of the seven passageways so far, taking a moment to catch their breath in an alcove on the third floor. The five of them stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the grounds in front of them. They watched as curses ricocheted off the shimmering protective shield that Professor McGonagall was in charge of. Each impact made their shield glow brighter, lighting up like bursts of fireworks.

"It looks like the world's going to cave in on us." Juniper accidentally muttered out loud, making the deeply unsettling, yet mesmerising, sight all the more real. No one responded, but they all felt the weight of the reminder that this was a war.

"You okay Freddie?" George spoke quietly, giving his twin brother a nudge with his elbow. Fred turned his head slightly, trying his hardest to put on a brave face.

"Yeah." He nodded, attempting to convince both himself and George.

"Me too." George turned back to the grounds, the grip on his wand tightening by a fraction, his tone was as steady as Fred's. They all basked in the quiet for a moment longer, before Matilda let out a shaky breath.

"Can we finish up? The more secure we are, the better I'll-."

"Tills?" An extra voice piped up from behind them, the group turning quickly, their wands at the ready. All except for Matilda, who was frozen on the spot. "You came back?"

"What are you two doing here?" Fred's voice was low as he stood in front of Matilda and Juniper, guarding them.

"Aren't we allowed to have a little wander?" Theo Nott grinned, trying to poke his head around Fred's shoulder.

"No, Slytherin students were ordered to remain in the dungeons until further instruction." Percy retorted, very matter-of-factly, slipping back into his Prefect ways.

"Matilda." Blaise repeated louder, ignoring everyone but her. Juniper glanced nervously to her friend beside her, watching Matilda take slow, calming breaths. Very slowly she spun on her heel, finally looking at Blaise.

"You two should just go." Matilda suggested, more stoic than Juniper had expected. Blaise just looked at her, his eyes pleading for more. More words, more explanation, more anything. "I'll explain once it's all over. But I don't want you getting caught with the wrong side."

"Wrong side?" Blaise stammered, trying to get closer to her, but Fred didn't move, George also stepping in to guard the girls. "I'm on your side, Tilly. How could you-."

He was cut off by an almighty crack from outside. All heads snapped, watching the protection spell disintegrate into small, insignificant particles, leaving Hogwarts and everyone inside of it vulnerable and in danger. Juniper's hand immediately found Fred's, both of them squeezing each other as tightly as they could. Within seconds, Deatheaters, Trolls, Snatchers, Dementors, and all of Voldemort's recruits had began charging onto the grounds. There were battle cries and curses being thrown, chaos had officially erupted, and it'd only be minutes before the fight made its way up to where the group was standing.