𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

sixty-three || year 7 ✔️

Mist encircles the parapets of the castle itself, barely distinguishable from the Dementors that drift like silent sentinels over the grounds. Light glimmer in the castle.

A stream of Hufflepuff students move toward the Great Hall. They walk grimly, their faces blank, as if accustomed to such exercises.The Ravenclaws walk in lockstep as well.

Slytherin House walks in rigid synchronisation, backs straight, in perfect rhythm. As the Grffindors walk, Harry moves in their midst, effectively shielded.

Each House stands together as a group, the room buzzing. No one sits. Harry is nowhere to be seen. At the Tall Table at the top of the Hall two Death Eaters --Amycus  and Alecto Carrow -- stand like sinister sentinels, their eyes raking the crowd. Professor McGonagall, her face ashen, her bearing reduced, stands along the right wall, while Flitwick stands by the left wall. As Snape enters, the room goes slowly silent.

"Many of you are surely wondering
why I have summoned you here at this hour," Snape began. "It has come to my attention that earlier this evening... Harry Potter was sighted in Hogsmeade."

A Murmured thrill fills the Hall. McGonagall's eyes glisten with curiosity.

Snape raises his voice, briefly, to quell the noise in the Hall. "I mention this in the hopes that truth will not be supplanted by rumour. For myself and a few select members of the staff this comes as little surprise.

We have, for some time, considered Mr. Potter's return to Hogwarts to be not only possible but inevitable. Consequently, in the past several months and under my specific direction, exhaustive defensive strategies have been employed to defeat any attempt Mr. Potter might make to breach these walls. But know this. Should anyone -- student or staff -- attempt to aid Mr. Potter, that person will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Rest assured: So long as I am Headmaster at Hogwarts, Harry Potter will never again step foot in this castle. If anyone here Now then knowledge
movements them to step forward now."

Snape's eyes rake the Hall. Dead silence. A nervous shift of glances.

Harry appears in the shadows at the back of the Hall. McGonagall's chin rises in disbelief. Maisy's (A Hufflepuff girl) face blooms with hope.

"I think I can help you out with that..." Harry appears, Snape's eyes widen a little bit. "It would seem that, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster."

Snape stares in stunned disbelief, then his gaze shifts as one by one, others emerge: Ron, Hermione, Lupin, Amelia , Arthur, Molly. Fred, George, Percy, Luna, Dean, Bill, Fleur, Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"And I'm afraid it's rather extensive." Harry continues.

The Carrows, who had been moving towards Harry, falter, turn to Snape with uncertainty. Harry's eyes narrow with malice as he stares at Snape.

"How dare you stand where he stood." Snape watches Harry draw his wand, point it at him. "Tell them how it was that night. Tell then how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you... and killed him. Tell them!"

Snape's eyes find Harry's, but his face remains a mask. McGonagall stands poised, no longer an ashen ghost. Flitwick's hand twitches over his wand. The air prickles with anticipation.
Snape moves as if to retrieve his wand. McGonagall steps forward and sends a volcanic blast Snape's way.

Pivoting, he parries the spell -- barely -- and sends it Ricocheting around the room.
Chaos ensues. Flitwick and the rest of the staff -- inspired by Harry and McGonagall -- leap forth, wands out. Snape, outnumbered, standing at the epicenter, parries spell after spell with astonishing skill deflecting two of the curses into Alecto and Amycus Carrow.