Silver Hourglass

War's Preparation Chapter 56

"PROFESSOR!" Harry screamed, acting on instinct. The entire Great Hall became deadly quiet as they watched the Slytherin jump from his seat and ran towards Dumbledore. Harry did not care about the stares or weird looks. He needed to show this to Dumbledore immediately. The staff table watched curiously as Harry ran up to Dumbledore and handed the small note. Dumbledore read it and nodded.

He closed his eyes for contemplation before standing. "Students will return to their dormitories immediately. Every able Seventh Year and student over seventeen should stay in the Great Hall."

"What is happening Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked, scared.

"The castle," Dumbledore said, addressing the Great Hall, "is under attack. Voldemort's army is coming to invade Hogwarts. I want prefects to escort the younger students back into the dormitories. The student's safety is our top priority. Professors, you will go out and establish every protection of which we are capable of. I will open our fireplaces for evacuations. Students over the age can stay and fight if they so wish."

The Great Hall stared at Dumbledore before noise erupt, the younger students scared and wanting to get out while the older students want to know what exactly is going on. "This is all Potter's Fault!" Someone at the Slytherin table yelled. "It's Potter they want! Just give him to them!"

"Thank you Miss. Parkinson for your opinion," Dumbledore said, looking sternly at the Slytherin Table. "Professor Snape, please make sure Parkinson is the first to evacuate following the first years."

"Harry, come with me," Dumbledore said as he and Harry walked quickly through the Great Hall, Harry looking around quickly to see the prefects of each House organizing their students in a hurried, fearful, but organized manner. They reached the entrance hall and moved to the side. "Harry, I am sure that any intentions or arguments for your evacuation will be denied," Dumbledore said, sparing a knowing smirk. "But I must advise you and Mr. Malfoy to be on your guard. The traitor Cassius speaks of is most definitely in your House. Not to support stereotypes, but Slytherins have a penchant for power and deceit. Though Harry, I must mention that you show me every positive quality a Slytherin can achieve as well. You are cunning, yes, but you are also resourceful. And the power you seek is that to protect your friends. Am I wrong?"

"No Professor," Harry said.

Dumbledore nodded and said, "Then I ask you to fight one last time. Use that power to protect all you hold dear. Will you do that Harry? Will you do the burdensome task I am asking you?"

"Yes Professor, I will," Harry said.

"Brilliant," Dumbledore said. "But first, we need reinforcement. Go to my office and tell Fawkes to signal the Order. Do not worry, he knows what to do. After that, return to the Great Hall immediately. The password is Acid Pops."

"Yes sir!" Harry said. Dumbledore watched as Harry sped away, being one with the crowd of students as they flee to their dormitories. Professor McGonagall hurried up to Dumbledore and said, "Shall I Albus?" she asked.

"Yes, we need all the aid we can gather," Professor Dumbledore said.

Professor McGonagall nodded and pointed her wand down the hallway. "Piertortum Locomotor!" she cried. And all along the corridor the statues and suits of armor jumped down from their plinths, and from the echoing crashes from the floors above and below, their fellows throughout the castle had done the same.

"Hogwarts is threatened!" Professor McGonagall shouted. "Mine the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!"

Clattering and yelling, the horde of moving statues stampeded past the two professors: some of them smaller, others larger, than life. There were animals too, and the clanking suits of armor brandished swords and spiked balls on chains.