Harry cut across Ron.

"You two stay here, I'll go under the Cloak and I'll be back as

soon as I--"

"No," said Hermione,, "it makes much more sense if I take the Cloak

and--"

"Don't even think about it," Ron snarled at her.

before Hermione could get farther than "Ron, I'm just as capable --

" the tapestry at the top of the staircase on which they stood was

Ripped open.

"POTTER!"

Two masked Death Eaters stood there, but even before their wands

were fully raised, Hermione shouted "Glisseo!"

The stairs beneath their feet flatteneed into a chute and she,

Harry, and Ron hurtled down it, unable to control their speed but

so fast that the Death Eaters' Stunning Spells flew far over their

Heads. They shot through the concealing tapestry at the bottom and

Spun onto the floor, hitting the opposite wall.

"Duro!" cried Hermione, pointing her wand at the tapestry, and

There were two loud, sickening crunches as the tapestry turned to

Stone and the Death Eaters pursuing them crumpled against it.

"Get back!" shouted Ron, and he, Harry, and Hermione hurled

Themselves against a door as a herd of galloping desks thundered

Past, shepherdd by a sprinting Professor McGonagall. She appeared

Not to notice them. Her hair had come down and there was a gash on

Her cheek. As she turned the corner, they heard her scream,

"CHARGE!"

"Harry, you get the Cloak on," said Hermione. "Never mind us--"

But he threw it over all three of them; large though they were he

Doubted anyone would see their disembodied feet through the dust

That clogged the air, the falling stone, the shimmer of spells.

They ran down the next staircase and found themselves in a corridor

Full of duelers. The portraits on either side of the fighters were

Crammed with figures screaming advice and encouragement, while

Death Eaters, both masked and unmasked, dueled students and

Teachers. Dean had won himself a wand, for he was face-to-face with

Dolohov, Parvati with Travers. Harry, ron and Hermione raised their

Wands at once, ready to strike, but the duelers were weaving and

Darting so much that there was a strong likelihood of hurting on of

Their own side if they cast curses. Even as they stood braced,

looking for the opportunity to act, there came a great "Wheeeeee!"

And looking up, Harry saw Peeves zoomign over them, dropping

Snargaluff pods down onto the Death Eaters, whose heads were

Suddenly engulfed in wriggling green tubers like fat worms.

"ARGH!"

A fistful of tubers had hit the Cloak over Ron's head; the damp

Green roots were suspended improbably in midair as Ron tried to

Shake them loose.

"Someone's invisible there!" shouted a masked Death Eater, pointing.

Dean made the most of the Death Eater's momentary distraction,

Knocking him out with a stunning Spell; Dolohov attempted to

Retaliate, and Parvati shot a Body Bind Curse at him.

"LET'S GO!" Harry yelled, and he, Ron, and Hermione gathered the

Cloak tightly around themselves and pelted, heads down, through the

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 607