Chapter 36
The sight of Narcissa Malfoy led to chaos. While Poppy seemed to want to get to her as soon as possible so she could visit her, it was impossible.
Seeing the woman's appearance, the Slytherins who knew her rose from their seats and joined her.
They were acting as a human shield against anyone who dared to touch her.
Soon the entire table advanced, giving those present a cold gaze that promised nothing but defiance. After all, Slytherins were known for protecting their own.
Dumbledore smiled proudly at the sight of his ever wary students rising to defend the woman before him. He might have felt offended that they thought of him as the cause of the woman's injuries, but he knew he was wrong. Prejudices had influenced him for years, leading him to the point of making a House of his beloved school feel unwanted and unappreciated by himself and the teaching staff.
" Narcissa, I am pleased to note that you have been freed. " smiled the principal, the classic sparkle in his eyes was back as he watched the woman bask in the love of all those children. He had always found it strange that a woman with such great maternal instincts as hers had only had one child. However he knew that for Lucius Malfoy all he needed was an heir. It was logical to come to the conclusion that once he got it, he no longer wanted children to get in the way of his life.
" My son has made some interesting friends, that's for sure. " the woman smiled, calming the Slytherins who still seemed wary. He assured them that no one inside that room was the cause of his injuries. She advanced towards the principal and greeted him with a hug, sorry for his imminent end. He had always been a good principal in her eyes, despite some unconscious things he might have done over the years.
" Dear, you should get checked out by Poppy. " Molly said kindly, dabbing her eyes at the touching gesture she had seen all those students make for the woman.
" Molly, your son George is a true gentleman. " commented Narcissa, agreeing to be examined quickly even though she knew that Severus had taken care of her by giving her all the necessary potions. It was bruised but it was strong.
" You seem fine, I'll just have to heal that nasty cut on your face. " said Poppy, smiling at Severus with pride. He knew how amazing the man was in the healing potions he often provided to the school.
" I came here to tell the students to flee. This is not a war for children and you are not ready to face something like this. No one will think less of you for staying safe. " said Narcissa, appearing resolute in front of those bewildered students.
" Exactly. " Mrs. Weasley nodded fervently as she watched some kids get up and leave the great room with McGonagall's help. " Children shouldn't fight. The adults will take care of the worst of the war so that none of you can remember the horror of combat. We know we can't force you to leave, although I wish we could. "
" However you have to be sure that you want to do it because once inside, you can't go back. " Narcissa added, watching as the remaining students staying in their positions. " Excellent, I'd say it's decided. "
While all the adults set to work to erect a barrier around the school that could keep the enemy away for as long as possible, the children gathered under the incredulous gaze of those present. Never in all the years spent together had they noticed the new friendships they had created. However, they had never noticed Daisy and Theo, so they must not have been the most careful in the world.
Harry was held tightly in Cedric's arms while answering questions from some of the more courageous students who asked him about his new friendships. He was calm and Daisy had never seen him so relaxed in his entire life.
" What are you plotting? " Daisy asked his twin.
"I'm enjoying this before Voldemort ruins it. " the boy simply replied, smiling sweetly while Cedric tickled his neck with the tip of his nose. " The principal wants to confront him but we all know he will come for me. "
" And we will be ready. " Cedric reassured him in his place, reminding him to wear his cloak. " We don't put our hopes on you because it's not right... but he believes he has to kill you to win, so you have to act in the shadows. Stay safe. "
" I'll fight anyway. " Harry replied, determined not to abandon anyone.
" We will never ask you. " Daisy said, shaking his hand in a reassuring way. " We just want you not to do anything reckless that puts you at risk. "
" It will be difficult. " Cedric teased Harry, giving him a kiss on the cheek. After that he silently asked her to leave them alone for a while. Which she was happy to do. She definitely didn't want to get in the way of those two lovebirds.
" Miss Potter, how dare you ignore me like this? " Theo playfully scolded her, grabbing her by the waist as she passed him. In her defense, Daisy had not noticed his presence. She was sure he was with Neville and Hermione checking some traps they had set up with other professors. But to be honest, she didn't know where anyone was. Everyone was trying to make the wait for the enemy's arrival as pleasant as possible.
" Listen..." Theo said, resting his forehead against hers. He was searching for the exact words to say goodbye to her in case he didn't survive.
" No ifs, no buts. " Daisy interrupted him, grabbing his face and looking at him ferociously. " You are forbidden to die. Do you understand me, Theodore? You must return to me even dangerously mutilated. I will never forgive you otherwise. "
" Bossy. " he kissed her, relieved. He didn't know how to deal with a war, but he knew how to deal with his fiancée's vivacious temperament. " Will you marry me even if I look like Moody? "
" Even worse. " she promised, raising an eyebrow in his direction while looking at him not at all impressed.
" Great, I'd still marry you too. " he huffed, giving her a kiss in the forehead. Theo knew how nervous she really was at the mere prospect of losing someone dear to her. She would have burned the whole world to the ground before such a thing happened. Merlin, He loved her with every fiber of his being.
Suddenly the doors opened jolting those present. Who had arrived without setting off the alarms?
When they turned around Percy Weasley and Aberforth Dumbledore stood in the center of the room, under the shocked gaze of those present. Behind them Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Lee Jordan, Alicia Spinnet, Charlie, Bill, and Fleur stood proudly.
" What? " Harry asked, interrupting the silence that had been created by their unexpected arrival.
" Did you want all the fun for yourself Potter? " snapped Oliver in the tone he used to adopt during Quidditch practice.
" We don't abandon our friends, so here we are. " said Alicia.
" Or family. " added Charlie, wrapping a comforting arm around Percy's shoulders that seemed to turn a worrying shade of red.
" I've been a fool! " roared Percy " An idiot, a moron, I've been a... "
" A moron enslaved to the Ministry and greedy for power " concluded Fred.
Percy swallowed " Yes! "
" Well, you couldn't have said it any better than that. " Fred declared, and held out his hand.
Mrs. Weasley burst into tears. She ran forward and pulled Percy into a suffocating hug while he patted her back, his gaze focused on his father while he apologized. Mr. Weasley blinked quickly, then he too ran to hug his son.
" What was it that brought you to your senses, Perce? " George asked.
" From the talk Dad gave me that night. " Percy replied, wiping his eyes under his lenses with a corner of his traveling cloak. " But I had to find a way to get away and it's not easy at the Ministry. They throw traitors into prison one after another. I managed to get in touch with Aberforth and ten minutes ago he let me know that Hogwarts was going to give battle, so I came back. "
" Molly and Arthur, your children have worn me out but they are good kids. " Aberforth said, before approaching his brother stiffly. " They told me you are dying. "
" Rumors are circulating fast. " Dumbledore replied, looking at the eyes so similar to his own but at the same time so different.
" Especially in my bar. " nodded his brother before looking at him seriously. " I will never forgive you for what you did to her. You wanted to be free and you got it even if it meant losing Ariana. " said Aberforth.
" I never was. " Dumbledore interrupted him, sadly. " I didn't want you to get hurt in the crossfire. I didn't want to hurt her. "
" I will help you defend these kids because you are still my family, despite everything. " The man said gruffly, before walking away from his brother as if the conversation had never happened.
Just as Daisy watched the Weasley family reunite, she froze in place. She cursed herself for being so careless. " The elves! We must evacuate them. " She screamed in panic at the mere idea that they might be injured in a battle that was not their own.
" Won't they want to fight? " Susan asked, knowing how dedicated the Hogwarts elves were to the school and the students.
" No, they should get out of here. " said Ron, shocked when Hermione kissed him for the sentence said. Ron responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off the ground, causing all their friends who had waited longer than them for that moment to applaud.
" You got it Ron. " hissed Charlie, tousling his younger brother's hair as a tease before waving goodbye to their group.
" Dobby, Winky! " called Daisy, smiling sweetly at the elves who appeared before her in what she assumed were battle uniforms.
" Miss Daisy, what can we do? " Winky asked, ready to follow orders.
" Harry Potter, sir! " hopped excitedly to the elf, watching in amazement as the boy took her tiny, gnarled hands in his, mirroring his sister's actions.
" Take the Hogwarts elves and hide. " Daisy said, letting the tears fall as the elf burst into tears, convinced she was being chased away. " It is no longer safe here. "
" Dobby stays here with Harry Potter. " The elf said resolutely, reaffirming the fact that he was free.
" Then Winky will be free too so he can stay with Miss Daisy. " he announced, breaking Daisy's heart.
" Hide and if we need you, we will call you. " tried to reason with Daisy.
" Where will we go? " Dobby asked, pulling his ears.
" Kreacher will keep you safe. You know where to go. Take the others with you and protect them. " said Daisy to Winky, promising that he would see her again. " You are a very good elf. "
" You a very good mistress. " she replied while disappearing in front of her eyes.
" You did the right thing. " said Theo, hugging Daisy.
" That way they will be safe. " Luna nodded, looking happily at the people all around them. " Don't worry, I will make things go the right way. "
" Not to your detriment, Lovegood. " Blaise scolded her, gently tugging at a lock of her hair.
" We will move as prearranged, you three ... " said Ginny, looking at Neville, Daisy and Harry firmly. " Don't get yourselves killed while trying to save the world. "
" Don't you either, you reckless Gryffindors! " Astoria said as they heard the barriers shatter. The war had just begun.