Friends of every Hogwarts student who had remained to fight along with the shopkeeps

And homeowners of Hogsmeade. The centaurs Bane, Ronan and Magorian burst into the

Hall with a great clatter of hooves, as behind Harry the door that led to the kitchens was

Blasted off its hinges.

The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed intot he entrance hall, screaming and

Waving carving knives and cleaver, and at their head, the locker of Regulus Black

bouncing on his chest, was Kreacher, his bullfrog's voice audible even above this din:

"Fight! Fight! Fight for my Master, defender of house-elves! Fight the Dark Lord, in the

name of brave Regulus! Fight!"

They were hacking and stabbing at the ankles and shim of Death Eaters their tiny

Faces alive with malice, and everywhere Harry looked Death Eaters were folding under

Sheer weight of numbers, overcome by spells, dragging arrows from wounds, stabbed in

The leg by elves, or else simply attempting to escape, but swallowed by the oncoming

Horde.

But it was not over yet: Harry sped between duelers, past atruggling prosoners,

And into he Great Hall.

Voldemort was in the center of the battle, and he was striking and smiting al

Within reach. Harry could not get a clear shot, but fought his way nearer, still invisible,

And the Great Hall became more and more crowded as everyone who could walk forced

Their way inside.

Harry saw Yaxley slammed tot he floor by George and Lee Jordan, saw Dolohov

fall with a scream at Flitwick's hands, saw Walden Macnair thrown across the room by

Hagrid, hit the stone wall opposite, and slide unconscious to the ground. He saw Ron and

Neville bringing down Fenrir Greyback. Aberforth Stunning Rookwood, Arthur and

Percy flooting Thicknesse, and Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy running through the crowd,

Not even attempting to fight, screaming for their son.

Voldemort was now dueling McGonagall, Slughorn, Kingsley all at once, and

There was a cold hatred in his face as they wove and ducked around him, unable to finish

Him -

Bellatrix was still fighing too, fifty yards away from Voldemort, and like her

master she dueled three at once: Hermione, Ginny and Luna, all battling their hardest, but

Bellatrix was equal to them, and Harry's attention was diverted as a Killing Curse shot so

Close to Ginny that she missed death by an inch -

He changed course, running at Bellatrix rather than Voldemort, but before he had

Gone a few steps he was knocked sideways.

"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"

Mrs. Weasley threw off her cloak as she ran, freeing her arms, Bellatrix spun on

The spot, roaring with laughter at the sight of the new challenger.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" shouted Mrs. Weasley to the three girls, and with a simple

Swipe of her wand she began to duel. Harry watched with terror and elation as Molly

Weasley's wand slashed and twisted, and Bellatrix Lestrange's smile faltered and became

a snarl. Jets of light flew from both wands, the floor around the withces' feet became bot

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 559