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The students of Hogwarts fell in line, walking down the stairs and towards the Great Hall with the Heads of their Houses at the front. The Carrows were looking on from the upper floor with grins as they knew they'd be able to finish off Dumbledore's Army once and for all as Snape promised them. They felt giddy when they saw the familiar face of Jemina Nightingale in the front line of the Hufflepuff students. There was their target.

Jemina could practically feel their burning gazes on her, but she did not pay them any attention, feeling more relieved that they didn't even notice Deanna and Harry among them.

The students marched into the Great Hall and stood there with the other members of the staff except for Filch and Professor Trelawney. No one except for those who knew seemed to notice Harry and Deanna yet. They fell silent when Snape and the Carrows entered after them. Jemina could only suppress the urge to roll her eyes. Still shameless until the very end.

Snape stood at the center with the Carrows behind him, scrutinizing the crowd of students with his usual sour frown. "Many of you are surely wondering, why I have summoned you at this hour. It's come to my attention that earlier this evening... Deanna Dumbledore and Harry Potter were sighted in Hogsmeade."

As they planned, Jemina and the others murmured, feigning ignorance and whispering to Noah and Hannah who were at her sides. On the Gryffindor's side, Ginny was doing the same with Neville, making sure their expressions were confused and blank. They couldn't help but think they were great actors.

"Now, should anyone..." Snape spoke coldly. "Student or staff, attempt to aid Ms. Dumbledore and Mr. Potter, they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Furthermore, any person found to have knowledge of these events, who fails to come forward will be treated as equally guilty."

Snape started walking in the middle of the hall, looking over the students who avoided his eyes. "Now then, if anyone here has any knowledge of Ms. Dumbledore and Mr. Potter's movements this evening, I invite them to step forward... now."

It was so silent in the Great Hall that you could hear a pin drop... All the students had their heads down, especially them who knew where Harry and Deanna were. As they promised, they would be loyal to them until the very end and they would help them in whatever ways they could.

"Oh, dear Professor." Deanna stepped out from where she was hiding, earning gasps and whispers from everyone around them. Jemina smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Snape's face and knew Deanna was raging inside despite the calm tone of her voice. "I'm sorry... Should I call you Headmaster now?"

"It seems, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you still have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster." Harry also stepped out from where he was, making the murmuring and chatting louder. As he stood beside Deanna, the doors to the Great Hall opened, revealing Hermione, Ron and the Order, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Ria, the Weasleys and Kingsley, standing proud and strong with their glares on Snape who was once their ally. "And I'm afraid it's quite extensive... How dare you stand where he stood?"

Deanna glared at Snape, finally letting her emotions run free as she let herself say the words she couldn't say back then. "How dare you call yourself Headmaster when that night, you looked my father in the eye and killed him. He trusted you with his life and you took it away from him, from us with a simple wave of your wand."

Snape's eyes widened when he noticed something, but he quickly masked his face into one of indifference and took out his wand. Before he could even do anything, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout suddenly came in front of Deanna and pointed their wands at Snape.

Deanna, Harry, the Order of the Phoenix and Jemina, Ginny and the other members of Dumbledore's Army had their wands out. Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout glanced at each other before simultaneously casting nonverbal Fire Spells at Snape who easily blocked them.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were joined by Professor Flitwick and Professor Slughorn who each took on a Carrow. All the students stepped aside and marveled, watching this three-way duel where no words were said but the tension was felt with every spell that was cast. The Professors of Hogwarts advanced onto the Carrows who counterattacked and Snape who blocked their spells until they were reaching the walls.

Severus Snape then realized he was already at the windows so he wrapped his cape around himself and started moving so dynamically Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout didn't know where to cast the spell anymore until he flew into the window, breaking the glass as he flew like a bat.

"COWARD!" Professor McGonagall yelled out furiously at Snape's disappearing figure.

"This is not over. Especially for you, Nightingale!" The Carrows yelled out and the woman, Alecto, touched her Dark Mark before they Disapparated along with Snape. The Great Hall burst into cheers once Snape and the Death Eaters were gone. Minerva waved her wand, and the hall was now alight once more with fire.

Feeling a little shaken at their warning, Jemina felt Noah squeeze her hand from the side when she felt another person intertwine her fingers with hers and grinned when she recognized it as Ginny's hand. "Don't worry, I'm alright, Gin."

"Those Carrows better watch out, I'll be sure to turn their bogeys into bats when I see them." Ginny glared at the window. "How dare they say that to my Jemina?"

Jemina's eyes widened in surprise and the corners of her lips curled up into a smile. "My Jemina?"

"I told you the wait would be worth it." Ginny whispered to Jemina who smiled widely at her, her heart soaring despite knowing they were in the middle of a war. She could finally say with pride that she was Ginny's. The two lovers smiled at each other like lovestruck puppies, knowing that the messages they sent to each other were well received.

"I'm still here." Noah cleared his throat, making the two blush at how they forgot him.

However, someone screamed right at that moment, taking their attention, and their eyes widened when they looked in Deanna's direction and saw someone who was the greatest fear of many people here. Someone who caused them all a lot of pain.

"Voldemort." Jemina whispered in fear as they all backed away from Deanna and Voldemort, a lot of them gasping and whispering.

They were frozen in fear, not knowing what was going on. Jemina felt Ginny and Noah's hold on her tighten as she did the same. Was he really here? She glanced in Deanna's direction and saw the Dumbledore only staring at Voldemort and then looked at Harry who was the only one who didn't back away and was only looking at the scene calmly. Was this another thing that only Deanna and Harry understood?

"I see you've got an entire army behind you." Voldemort spoke in a high yet soft voice, staring Deanna in the eyes.

"And you look like you're readying for war." Deanna remarked, glancing at something behind Voldemort.

"Come with me." Voldemort said, making everyone's eyes widen. So, it was true that Voldemort really did love Deanna... "I can save you."

Jemina felt a pang in her heart at that, knowing the context behind his words... but no matter what anyone said, Deanna Dumbledore was going to fight for what she believed in. Jemina knew that.

"I am the salvation." Deanna answered in a determined voice. "And I will end this today with you."

Voldemort stared at her for a moment before he stepped aside and looked at the people who were crowded behind Deanna. Jemina let her green eyes meet his head on, not showing she felt fear no matter how afraid she was. Voldemort did not pay them attention and glanced at Harry. "Harry Potter..."

Harry stared at him straight on, a glare in his eyes. "Voldemort."

The Dark wizard laughed at that before he smiled menacingly at the others. From the staff to the Order of the Phoenix and they saw his gaze linger on Hermione before he looked over all of them again and spoke.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Deanna Dumbledore and Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give them to me and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Deanna Dumbledore and Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have one hour."

"You've made your decision." Voldemort's eyes glowed red, meeting Deanna's own. "You're giving up your life that you could have been happy with if you chose to be with me. We'll be bringing an entire army and no mercy. Get ready."

"I make my own choices." Deanna answered him back in a resolute tone. "You'll be bringing an entire army and no mercy? Bring it on. We've got the Order of the Phoenix... We've got Dumbledore's Army. And we here at Hogwarts will fight with everything we've got."

A few moments passed with Voldemort and Deanna just staring at each other until the Dark wizard disappeared all of a sudden, and Deanna turned around to face them all who could only stare back at her. "If any of you would want to give me and Harry to him, speak up now. Because if even one of you wants me to give myself up, I will do it. I wouldn't want to put you all in a tough situation. So, speak up now."

There was silence in the room and Jemina looked at the others in the tense atmosphere. Everyone waited if someone would even speak up. Deanna stared at them in anticipation when somebody suddenly raised their hand, and they were surprised to see it was Pansy. "Pansy..."

"I just wanted to say..." Pansy spoke up before letting the smile spread on her face. "You once told me the moment you choose not to have a choice, you've already made your decision. We, Slytherins... Well, the ones who are here at least have talked about this for a long time and have decided. We're going to fight with you. For Hogwarts, our home."

Deanna grinned widely at that and realized that there were indeed a lot of Slytherins missing. "Where are the others?"

"We locked them in the dungeons." Daphne shrugged and answered nonchalantly. "Some of them don't want to face their families, and the others... still have their heads stuck in their arses so we can't do anything about that."

"Anyways, we'll try helping with what we can help with." Blaise smiled at the other students and staff and the members of the Order who were also smiling at them. "But I don't think we'll be able to fight. Those are still our families and they may be bonkers, but I don't think we can fight them."

"Just tell us what to do." Theo nodded with resolve. "We've got you, Deanna. And you too, Potter."

Everyone cheered and shouted in agreement, making them smile widely for they knew that they had the rest of Hogwarts behind them. They were now ready to fight for Hogwarts and everyone there. It was the fight of everyone there who decided to risk their lives and everything they've known for the greater good.

"Students out of bed. Students out of bed!" Filch suddenly came into the Great Hall, shouting when he saw all of them.

"They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot." Minerva snapped at Filch.

"Oh, sorry, Ma'am."

"Bring the underage students and the others who'd like to go out of here and evacuate them to safety." Professor McGonagall ordered him before turning to Deanna and Harry.

"Come on." Ginny tugged Jemina's hand and they along with the other members of Dumbledore's Army went near Deanna and Harry to await their orders.

"Do what you have to do." Professor McGonagall nodded. "I'll secure the castle."

"Thank you, Minerva." Deanna smiled gratefully before she and Harry started making their way towards Dumbledore's Army who were waiting patiently for them.

"Deanna, Potter."

The two turned around at the call of Professor McGonagall, seeing a motherly and proud smile on her face. "It's good to see you."

Harry and Deanna couldn't help but smile back.

"It's good to see you too, Professor."

"Likewise, Min."

"Hold the fort, you guys." Harry turned to Dumbledore's Army with a smile before he and Deanna continued to move to Hermione and Ron.

"Well, you heard the man." Neville grinned at all of them. "Come on."

He led them to Professor McGonagall who was taking charge with the other members of the Order. "And, yes, the armor. I'll take care of that, Filius – "

"Professor." Neville called out to her with a smile. "What can we do?"

Professor McGonagall frowned at the group, noticing some of them were only in their sixth year. "Didn't I say that all students underage should go to safety?"

"Ginevra! What are you doing here? Go with Filch at once." Molly ordered her daughter who shook her head in defiance. "You are underage! And you too, Eleanor! You're too young for this."

"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley." Eleanor grinned apologetically. "But I'm staying."

"I'm fighting with you!" Ginny said in determination. "I'm in Dumbledore's Army – "

"A teenagers' gang!"

"A teenagers' gang that's about to take him on, which no one else has dared to do!" said Fred in their defense.

"Molly, Fred, calm down." Arthur placed a hand on his wife's shoulder and looked at his son pointedly.

"Noah..." Mr. and Mrs. Knight who had just come frowned at their son who only shrugged with a grin on his face.

"Sorry, Mum, Dad." Noah apologized though his tone made them know he wasn't really sorry. "I'm with them."

"With all due respect, Professor, and all of you..." Jemina spoke up, making all attention turn to her as she spoke in determination. "We spent the last months here in Hogwarts, fighting for our lives because we knew it was right. These bruises and scars we have are proof we've fought. We've trained and prepared ourselves for this moment. We are underage, yes, but we are old enough to make our choices. We want to fight... And if you still believe we can't fight, we would understand – "

"Jem!" Everyone said in protest, but they shut up when the Hufflepuff raised her hand.

"We would understand, but we're still going to fight." Jemina finished with a fire burning in her eyes, reminding them of another Hufflepuff who they knew they couldn't talk out of her decisions once she already set her mind on it.

"I like your spirit, kid!" Sirius sent a thumbs up to Jemina who smiled widely.

The members of the Order exchanged glances while Sirius, Tonks, Fred and George grinned at Jemina, liking the fire and attitude of this girl. Then, they all looked to Professor McGonagall, knowing she was the right person to make a decision regarding this. She let out a sigh and nodded, earning smiles and cheers from the group.

"Alright, alright." Professor McGonagall said in an exasperated yet proud tone before she started walking out, all of them following after her. "Longbottom, some of them will be entering through the bridge. Go and make explosives under those. Guard it until they come."

"Let me get this straight." Neville asked in shock. "You're giving us permission to do this?"

"That is correct, Longbottom."

"To blow it up? Boom?"

"Boom!" Minerva replied in a gleeful tone though her face was kept stoic.

"Wicked." Neville grinned widely. "But how on earth are we gonna do that?"

Professor McGonagall finally stopped and looked around at the grounds. "Why don't you confer with Mr. Finnigan? As I recall, he has a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics."

"I can bring it down." Seamus responded with glee.

"I'll come with you guys." Eleanor volunteered with a smile. "I know a few fire spells that may help."

"You then Noah, Dean, Luna... Can you help us? We need help in reinforcing the other side of the castle." Remus Lupin offered to the three who grinned and agreed right away.

"Remmy." Sirius pouted at his husband who rolled his eyes. "How about me?"

"Oh, stop acting like a kid, Sirius." Remus remarked before kissing Sirius on the cheek, chuckling when Sirius visibly brightened up.

"Noah, be careful." Mr. and Mrs. Knight gave their son a tight hug before they let him go, smiling proudly at their son.

"I will, Mum, Dad." Noah smiled at them before he went with Lupin and Kingsley to help them in reinforcing the other side.

"We'll go and check what Madam Pomfrey needs." Ernie offered for him, Susan, Justin and Hannah to do. "And the house elves. Deanna was talking about the house elves a while ago. We'll check on them too."

"Yes, please." Professor McGonagall nodded at the group of Hufflepuffs. "She'll need a lot of assistance, and the house elves need to be safe."

"Ria, Tonks and I will set up the other enchantments and hexes at the South Side, Minnie." Sirius smiled in his usual playful tone, making McGonagall roll her eyes.

"That's the spirit. Now away you go." Professor McGonagall told them, making them smile as they went while the other members of the Order split up to start fortifying the grounds.

"Hey, Jemina, was it?" Ria Docherty-Tonks called out to her. When Jemina nodded, her smile grew wider. "You're an amazing witch that we, Muggleborns, look up to."

"And come join us after that, yes?" Nymphadora Docherty-Tonks grinned widely at the Muggleborn who fought bravely.

Jemina couldn't help but smile back and nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

The group of three smiled at Jemina Nightingale who was doing amazing as the leader of Dumbledore's Army before they quickly got to work.

"Ginny..."

"Mum." Ginny held her mother's hands and stared her in the eyes. "I love you, but I can't just stand there, knowing I can help and fight alongside with you. We've lost so many people already."

"And that's my point, Ginny." Molly frowned at her. "We can't lose any more. I can't lose you."

"That's more reason to fight, Mum." Ginny explained to her. "All of us here have lost someone, and that's why we should give everything we've got to give them the justice they deserve. To let them know everything was worth it. Please, Mum. Let me fight with you."

Everyone glanced at Ginny and Molly before the latter looked at the young teenagers who looked just as determined as her daughter did, and she let out a sigh. "Fine. But you better keep yourself safe. And you kids, stay close to us."

Ginny grinned widely at Jemina who smiled back at her before hugging her mother. "Thank you, Mum."

"Oh and look at who we found." Fred, George, Arthur, Bill and Fleur came close to them with a crying Percy Weasley.

"Mum, Ginny." Percy whispered with a shaky smile before he was pulled into a hug by his family, all of them happy to be reunited once more after a long time apart. Everything was forgiven and forgotten. Now, the Weasleys were here, and they were ready to fight back against Voldemort.

Jemina sent a smile at them before she walked towards Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, the other members of Dumbledore's Army had already split up to prepare for battle.

"You do realize, of course, we can't keep out You-Know-Who indefinitely." Flitwick said to his fellow professor.

"Well, that doesn't mean we can't delay him." Professor McGonagall said firmly. "And his name is Voldemort, Filius. You might as well use it. He's going to try to kill you either way."

Jemina couldn't help but smile at that before she came closer to her. "Is there anything I can help with, Professor?"

"Yes, Nightingale. Just wait a minute." Professor McGonagall turned around to face the castle and cast the spell. "Piertotum Locomotor."

In a second, the statue of the suit of armor came to life, kneeling down as it landed on the ground, followed by other statues until all the suits of armor came to life, ready to serve Hogwarts. They stood up and fell in line, marching in harmony towards the gates. Jemina watched them go in awe and glanced up at Professor McGonagall with a smile. She definitely wanted to be a professor here.

"Hogwarts is threatened." Professor McGonagall spoke in a commanding tone to the suits of armor. "Man the boundaries. Protect us. Do your duty to our school."

"I've always wanted to use that spell." The Professor grinned at Jemina who grinned back and nodded. "Now, here are the spells, Miss Nightingale. Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inmicum. I know you're an ace at Charms, Nightingale, so this will be easy for you."

"I got this, Professor." Jemina said with a determined smile before she joined the Slughorn, Flitwick, Molly and the other students and wizards in the yard. She raised her wand and started casting the spells. "Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello lnimicum."

Soon, a large barrier was forming over Hogwarts from their spells uniting as one. It even sent the near Dementors away as the light and the barrier consumed Hogwarts and the people in there, protecting them temporarily from Voldemort and his army. The barrier soon turned invisible when it completely covered Hogwarts where the suits of armor were standing at the entrance.

"It's impressive, huh?" Ginny said from behind Jemina.

"It is." Jemina nodded with a smile before she looked at Ginny. "I'll be joining Sirius, Ria and Tonks at the South Side."

"I'll come with you." Ginny grinned at her, and the two of them shared grins at that.

As they started on their way to the South Side of the castle, someone suddenly called out to her. "Oi, Nightingale!"

Jemina and Ginny stopped, turning around to see the rest of the Slytherins with Filch, Blaise being the one who called her. "Pansy, Daphne, Blaise and Theo. I never got to thank you for saving me. Are you guys going back now?"

"Yeah." Daphne nodded. "If you... you know need us or some extra wands, we'll be in the dungeons."

"Yeah, we know we said we might not be able to face them, but you and Deanna changed our minds." Theo explained with a grin. "Thank you for giving us, Slytherins, a chance."

"Thank you... to all of you." Jemina said softly to the group, knowing that they finally reunited Hogwarts and its four houses once and for all. "I guess, we'll see you soon?"

"Stay alive, Jemina." Pansy smiled back at her. "We'll see you."

The Slytherins, escorted by Filch, continued on their way, leaving Ginny and Jemina with smiles at how things changed. Who knew they could be friends with their once known rivals? The two girls went back on their way to the South side of the Castle, one thought in mind. They were in this together. All of them.

Meanwhile, Voldemort was standing on a mountain, a cold look on his face as he looked over Hogwarts. Foolish... all of them, especially Deanna Dumbledore who was willing to sacrifice her life. Tons of Death Eaters stood behind him, awaiting his orders. Voldemort let out a high and cold laugh. "They never learn. Such a pity."

"But my Lord..." The Snatcher, Scabior, spoke up. "Shouldn't we wait for... My Lord." He bowed in fear and backed away immediately when he saw Voldemort looking at him coldly.

"Begin." Voldemort ordered them. The Death Eaters raised their wands one by one, blue lights coming out from them and aiming for the barrier that had just been made. Sparks and explosions burst from when the blue lights made contact with the barrier, making small cracks that grew with every spell cast.

From where they were, Kingsley's face fell, realizing there were too many of them, judging by the lights hitting the shield. "Hey, Dean, tell Professor McGonagall we need a few more wands on this side."

"Yes, Sir." Dean nodded and quickly ran down while Lupin, Kingsley, Noah and Luna stared at the coming doom.

"It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers." Lupin looked over the battlefield and said in a thoughtful voice.

"Who said that?" Kingsley asked.

"Me." Lupin answered, making the four of them exchange glances before smiling. Sirius really did have his effect on Lupin.

"You okay, Freddie?" George asked his twin brother, the two of them on the floor above Lupin, Kingsley, Noah and Luna.

"Yeah." Fred smiled, their wands at the ready.

"Me too."

They were both extremely nervous, and they knew that they might die today. But at least, they would die, fighting and laughing until their very last moments. They had each other, always... until the very end.

On the bridge, Neville's eyes widened when he heard the thundering steps of countless people. He breathed heavily and trusted in Seamus and Eleanor who were behind him... He trusted them and their foolish plan.

The Snatchers yelled and rushed into the barrier but those who tried to cross were reduced to ashes and dirt as they crossed, making Neville's eyes widen at the power of their shield. The other Snatchers stopped right before they could touch the barrier upon seeing what happened, and Scabior, their leader, glared at Neville.

"Yeah? You and whose army?" Neville grinned and taunted them, making Seamus and Eleanor chuckle from where they were waiting. They've got the East side well and secure.

"So, that's all of it." Sirius grinned when he, Ria, Tonks, Jemina and Ginny finished up with their enchantments at the South side. "We should get back. We'll be alerted anyways if the enchantments go off. Now, if you'll excuse me, I shall look for my wonderful, handsome Moony."

The four girls laughed, watching Sirius run away towards the East side, but they felt the same as him. They knew that in this war, they would want to be with the people they loved the most. And it was a good thing the four girls had those people right in those moments.

"Come on, you two." Ria motioned to Jemina and Ginny before she held Nymphadora's hand, and they ran back to the entrance. It was not the appropriate setting, but hey, it's better to live without regrets. "Hey, Dora?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Let's do it after this. Let's make a family."

Tonks was startled for a moment, but she grinned widely at her wife and pulled her in for a quick kiss. She was glad Ria was being brave now to make the risky decisions that may be filled with uncertainty but ones they were willing to make with each other. Jemina and Ginny who were behind them only grinned and held each other's hands, also wanting what they had in the near future.

"I'd love that." Tonks grinned widely before they continued on and finally arrived at the Entrance where most of the students were waiting. Their faces fell when they noticed the blue lights continuously attacking the barrier. Soon, the barrier they made would fall and it was time for them to literally fight for their lives.

Jemina felt Ginny's hold on her hand tighten, and they looked at each other with determined looks before looking back at the entrance, waiting for what was about to come. Cracks turned into breaks in the barrier until they became so large they started merging with the other cracks. Everyone waited with their breaths held as more explosions came from the hits of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

The Head of the Death Eaters had enough and yelled out, casting one powerful spell that was strong enough to break down the barrier, making the eyes of everyone inside Hogwarts widen at how the blue and invisible shield exploded and fell apart. It left Hogwarts open to attack from all sides.

At exactly midnight of May 2, 1988, the Battle of Hogwarts began.

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