Harry dragged her to her feet and they raced along the corridor, trailing the

Invisibility Cloak behind them, into the deserted classroom where Professors

McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout were standing at a smashed window.

“He jumped,” said Professor McGonagall as Harry and Luna ran into the room.

“You mean he's dead?” Harry sprinted to the window, ignoring Flitwick's and

Sprout's yells of shock at his sudden appearance.

“No, he's not dead,” said McGonagall bitterly. “Unlike Dumbledore, he was still

carrying a wand... and he seems to have learned a few tricks from his master.”

With a tingle of horror, Harry saw in the distance a huge, bat like shape flying

Through the darkness toward the perimeter wall.

There were heavy footfalls behind them, and a great deal of puffing. Slughorn

Had just caught up.

“Harry!” he panted, massaging his immense chest beneath his emerald-green silk

pajamas. “My dear boy... what a surprise...Minerva, do please

explain...Severus...what...?”

“Our headmaster is taking a short break,” said Professor McGonagall, pointing at

The Snape-shaped hole in the window.

“Professor!” Harry shouted his hand on his forehead, He could see the Inferifilled

Lake sliding beneath him, and he felt a ghostly green boat bump into the

Underground shore, and Voldemort lept from it with murder in his heart---

“Professor, we've got to barricade the school, he's coming now!”

“Very well. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is coming,” she told the other teachers.

Sprout and Flitwick gasped. Slughorn let out a low groan. “Potter has work to do in the

castle on Dumbledore's orders. We need to put in place every protection of which we are

capable while Potter does what he needs to do.”

“You realize , of course, that nothing we do will be able to keep out You-Know-

Who indefinitely?” squeaked Flitwick.

“But we can hold him up.” said Professor Sprout.

“Thank you, Pomona,” said Professor McGonagall, and between the two witches

There passed a look of grim understanding. I suggest we establish basic protection

Around the place, then gather our students and meet in the Great Hall. Most must be

Evacuated, though if any of those who are over age wish to stay and fight, I think they

ought to be given the chance.”

“Agreed,” said Professor Sprout, already hurrying toward the door. “I shall meet

you in the Great Hall in twenty minutes with my House.”

And as she jogged out of sight, they could hear her muttering, “Tentacula, Devil's

Snare. And Snargaluff pods...yes, I'd like to see the Death Eaters fighting those.”

I can act from here,” said Flitwick, and although he could barely see out of it, he

Pointed his wand through the smashed window and started muttering incantations of great

Complexity. Harry heard a weird rushing noise, as though Flitwick had unleashed the

Power of the wind into the grounds.

“Professor,” Harry said, approaching the little Charms master. “Professor, I'm

Sorry to interrupt, but this is important. Have you got any idea where the diadem of

Ravenclaw is?”

“---Protego Horribillis---the diadem of Ravenclaw?” squeaked Flitwick. “A little

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 530