Chapter Ten:

Vane Attempt

Harry's eyes fluttered, then he slowly opened them wider. He moaned and shifted, feeling the stiffness of his limbs.

He found that he couldn't move much. Allowing his naked vision to gradually clear, Harry realised that he was lying on his back, and staring up at the top of a large tent. He was tucked inside a camping sleeping bed.

"Uh…? Where…?"

"Harry! 'Bout time you woke up!"

Hearing Ron's voice, Harry tried to sit upright, but his hands seemed to be trapped in the bag. Ron came over from where he was sat on the ground, besides a lantern, and unzipped Harry, who groggily got his arms free. Ron then handed his glasses to him.

"Thanks," said Harry, slipping on his spectacles. "What happened?"

Ron looked at him gloomily. "How much do you recall?"

"Oh." Harry's mind was now filling up with unpleasant memories. He rubbed his head, and his face creased with bitterness. "I remember… The Death Eaters… The trolls and giants… The Dark Mark over the school…! Hermione and me, on Firenze, fleeing from the school grounds. Then we headed for the mountains…"

" 'Mione said that you passed out from your wounds and fatigue. That gave her a fright - but we fixed you up." Ron patted his friend's shoulder. "Who could blame you for that, though? That was one hell of a night."

"Uh, yeah… It was. How long have I been out, Ron?"

Ron checked his watch. "It's about seven in the evening, Harry. You weren't the only one sleeping long hours. On the other hand, yours truly didn't get much kip."

Harry took in Ron's haggard face and red-rimmed eyes - and in a flash, he recalled everything that happened in Professor Lupin's living quarters. He half-felt like crying again, himself - but right now the loss of Ginny had left him feeling gutted. Numb.

I'm reaching the point where I'll have no more tears left to cry, if another friend of mine dies, he reflected.

"Your family…," Harry pointed out to Ron. "Fred and George… Did they get out…?"

"The twins are okay. They used some of their joke products to distract the Death Eaters who were cutting people down in Hogwarts. Helped to save a few lives in the going, too." Ron smiled faintly.

A sigh of relief escaped Harry's lips. "You're told them about…Ginny?"

"Yeah… And the word's been passed on. Dad's come to the camp and had a look at Hogwarts from the mountains. He said that the area's still got the Dark Mark over it… And that the fighting's over." Ron hung his head. "The…, the Death Eaters and their…, their helpers have taken Hogwarts, Harry! So much for my plans to safeguard the school…"

Harry let the news sink in. He felt sickened by what had happened – but after what he'd witnessed earlier, the announcement was no surprise. "Hold on…," he considered. "Where are we? The evacuation seemed to be well-organised."

"Oh yeah. The back-up plan… We're on the edge of a forest in the Highlands. Not far from one of the main towns. That'll help to protect us if any Dementors, trolls, or giants come sniffing for the escapees. Over half of the pupils got away, we're guessing – but we're split into different camps, for safety's sake. Anyway, do you want anything, Harry? Food? Drink?"

Harry considered how he felt – then nodded. Rest, and the werewolf condition in his blood, had served to let his injuries, aches, and bruises to fade away. At the mere mention of food, his stomach began to growl.

"I think I could manage some soup. With meat," he declared.

"No problem." Ron's lips formed a weak smile. "The fire and pans are outside. Chicken soup coming up soon. I'll let Hermione know you're awake. She'll want to look at your wounds." He got up, and left via the tent's only exit.

A minute or so later, Hermione entered and ran over to Harry, after he slipped out of the sleeping bag. He had found himself still dressed in the clothes he'd last been wearing – but his shoes were lying nearby, and he was just putting them on when Hermione hugged him tightly. Harry returned her emotional gesture.

"Oh, Harry… It never ends for us, does it? This war… The deaths…," she croaked.

"One day, the war will be over, Hermione," he assured her. "And we'll be celebrating… Ouch!" He winced as the pressure of his friend's grip sent tiny darts of pain across his chest.

"Sor-ry." Hermione disengaged herself from him. "Neville and Luna were working on creating a healing potion for the injured. I've rubbed your burns with it."

"Oh." Harry unbuttoned his shirt and saw the healed marks. They looked better than he was expecting. He briefly pictured his friend applying her hands on his bare chest – and then quickly forced the image out of his head. Once again, he felt the pain of losing Ginny. He wished she was here now, holding him…

"Ron's told me a little of what's happened regarding the pupils," said Harry. "What about Hagrid? Professor Moody? The Headmaster? Professor Lupin? And all the others…?"

Hermione's eyes flicked downwards. "We…, we don't have the full picture yet, Harry. Firenze is helping to gather food for us…refugees, along with Magorian and the other centaurs who got out. Professor Moody, Hagrid and Mr Filch are safe – though recovering from their wounds. We think that none of the heads of the School Houses got out, though. And there's been no word from the Headmaster. Oh… And that Deputy Governor… Remember her?"

Harry cast his mind back. "Oh, yeah. The hysterical one who wanted Lupin dead…"

"Well, the Governor's party got out – but Deputy Raglan got bit by one of Greyback's werewolves, in the melee."

"Well… I hope the Ministry can take care of her, then." Harry shrugged, feeling too drained to care about a whinging witch – after the impact of losing both Ginny and Hogwarts…

Hermione reached out and examined Harry's face. "How are you, right now? Physically, I mean…"

"My nose still feels singed, Hermione," Harry grumbled. "I can barely smell anything. And I ache somewhat. But I'm becoming more alert now." He swept his eyes around the tent, and saw the reassuring sight of his wand lying next to him. Also, Hedwig – his owl – was present. She hooted, upon seeing him move – and then flew onto his outstretched arm. Harry ruffled her feathers – before allowing his pet to fly back to her wooden perch, which was floating near the top of the tent.

The invisibility cloak and the Marauders Map had been left behind in the spell-locked rooms he and Ron shared, back at Hogwarts. His Firebolt, too…

Without warning, more memories bubbled up from the thinning fog in Harry's head. Ginny wasn't the only one to perish in Lupin's rooms. "Dobby!" he gasped. "He's dead, isn't he?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, Harry. He helped divert the attention of the Inferious – Ms Pince. But she eventually got the better of him. He saved us."

"And Kreacher! Who broke Kreacher's neck, Hermione?"

She froze, then looked down. "He wouldn't shut up, Harry. That cruel Elf was gloating, waiting for the Stone Inferi to kill us all – even though he was slowly dying himself. As soon as I re-gathered my wits, after that blow to my head, I…I put my foot down on Kreacher, Harry. Call it an act of mercy – for him, and for our poor ears at the time."

He slowly took this in. "And to think you once felt sorry for House Elves," was all Harry could say, at first. "The spokeswoman for the Society of Protection for Elf Workers."

"SPEW is now disbanded." Hermione gave a thin smile, then her expression turned sad as her eyes became distant. "I'm sorry we couldn't save Dobby." She squeezed Harry's hand, then got up to leave. "I'll give you some privacy. Soup will be ready for long!"

Alone now, Harry sat still for a moment, hugging his knees close to him. Then he slowly got up and made himself presentable.

Now what do I do? He thought to himself. He felt wretched. The Death Eaters had finally gathered together all the forces they couldn't do so before – and this time had captured Hogwarts. And Ginny was now gone from his life. The only consolation was that her sacrifice had brought about the destruction of the Brollachan – and consequently the Stone Inferi it had controlled. Hopefully, the spirits of the possessed were now free. He hoped Ginny was now at peace, whether her soul had gone to…

Images of Ginny flooded into his mind. The nine-year old red-haired girl who was with her equally-ginger family, at Kings Cross station, who wished him luck as he charged for the illusionary wall that concealed the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The first-year pupil lying in a coma in the Chamber of Secrets, her life-force being drained by Voldemort. The tireless Quidditch chaser for Gryffindor. The attractive young lady who understood why he put their relationship on hold after Dumbledore's death – and who eagerly accepted him back after Voldemort's demise. The amazing she-werewolf that Ginny proved herself to be, and who had passed on her nature to him…

Harry couldn't cry anymore. Instead, he just felt a hollow sensation inside.

"Harry!"

The voice was little more than a loud whisper. Startled, he jumped to his feet.

Damn my scorched nose… I can't smell anyone coming!

"Who's there?" he called out.

"A friend." It was a girl's voice. A motion to one side caught Harry's attention – an arm holding up part of the tent in the shadows. A figure wiggled underneath the raised canvas, then got to her feet. She was wearing a brown cloak bound by a cord, rather like a monk.

The hood was pushed back. Harry's eyes went wide as he recognised the dark flowing locks of Romilda Vane, one of the students from Gryffindor House. Until last summer, anyway. When her parents reported her missing.

She smiled, lips parted as she took in his bewilderment.

"Found you! I heard about the battle at the school. I'm glad you survived!"

You would be…, Harry considered. Two years ago, Romilda Vane had spiked some chocolates given to him with love potion. Ron had eaten them instead, which caused some trouble at the time. And judging by the intense look in her eyes, Romilda still had a hankering for Harry – whilst he himself had never been interested in returning her feelings in kind.

"Oh! Hello… You vanished during the summer, Romilda… What happened?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

"I received…a new form of education, Harry." Her smile didn't falter. She stepped over to him, and tilted her head, sniffing the air. Her grin grew wider for a moment, then her expression changed. She looked worried. "Your life is in danger, Harry! I want to make sure you stay alive."

The wolf in Harry tensed, and the hairs on his neck rose. He physically held himself still. Something wasn't right…

"Nothing new there, then," Harry replied carefully. " 'Bout my life being in danger, I mean. Tell me the details, Romilda! What are the Death Eaters cooking up now?"

She took a step back and flinched, as if she had just been poked in the eyes.

"They don't know where this camp is, yet… I found you of my own accord," Romilda announced mysteriously.

"Oh, yes? How?" Harry put to her.

"I located your owl as she was hunting in the forest nearby, Harry." Romilda beamed, pleased with herself. "I gave her a blank letter addressed to you – then saw which direction she took, once she flew off. After that, I set off on foot, and studied the ground for the signs that brought me here." Her expression turned serious. "Come with me, Harry! Before the forces that have taken Hogwarts turn their attention towards tracking down everyone in this camp."

"Come with you…?" Harry narrowed his eyes. "To where?"

"Anywhere in the mountains – away from this war…" Romilda's hand stroked Harry's. "We can use our magic to steal what we need by day, and we'll hunt our game by night. We'll make a fine couple…"

Harry pulled his hand violently away from Romilda's. Twisting to one side, he snatched up his wand – only for his arm to be seized by Romilda once more. Her grip was strong. And she was still smiling…

"Don't fight me, Harry. I heard that you've lost a friend who was a werewolf. And I can tell you are one also. You must feel terrible about your loss. I will help to fill in the hole she has left behind."

"And how would you know I was a werewolf?" he snapped. "Unless you are one yourself, Romilda? You've just drank in my scent, haven't you? Who initiated you – Greyback, or one of his cronies? Have you been…brain-washed…?"

The girl's lips tightened. "I have been freed from the weaknesses of my human life, Harry. You too, are blessed. Leave these oth…"

"I'm not leaving! Hogwarts was my territory – to protect!" Harry's nostrils flared. "The pupils still need my protection…."

"They are now sheep! We are superior to them!" Romilda tightened her grip on Harry's arm. "Be mine, Harry – please! I am offering you an alternative to death…"

"Here's the soup… And 'Mione thought you could do with some hot water." Ron pushed his way through the main flaps of the tent – Hermione close behind him. They halted upon seeing the newcomer.

"Romilda Vane!" Ron's mouth dropped open.

She turned her head to regard them with a look of anger. Her lip curled at the interruption, and she sniffed the air again. "Oh. Hello, Ron!" she said, without enthusiasm.

Hermione realised she was being ignored, and her expression turned bitter. She hadn't forgotten the effect of Romilda's actions on Ron's birthday, the year before last – however indirect they had been. Quickly, she put down the flask of hot water she'd been carrying, then pulled out her wand.

Harry chose that moment to twist his arm out of Romilda's steely grasp, and he jumped aside. "Watch her, guys! She's one of Greyback's!"

Romilda hissed and darted for the side of the tent where she had entered by…

"Petrificus Totallis!" Hermione yelled.

The blast struck the intruder, and she cried out. Her body swayed – but Romilda didn't fall down. Instead, she turned to face Harry – who was now blocking her way.

"Last chance to accept my companionship, Harry," she snarled.

"I have just lost my mate," Harry fired back at her. "I want to grieve for her!"

His words stung her. Romilda's face flushed with anger. "Then I'll leave you to the mercies of the others, when they find you," she barked, then darted to one side, trying to reach the canvas of the tent, in order to roll underneath.

By now, Ron had put the soup down. Both he and Hermione had joined Harry in surrounding Romilda, preventing her from escaping. Hermione jumped in and grabbed the edge of Romilda's cloak.

"Time to give us some answers…"

Romilda growled, and slammed the bottom of her fist into Hermione's face, sending her flying into the coats and cans of food around the other side of the tent. Hermione's hands pulled at the other girl's cloak, as her feet left the ground – and in the process exposed a golden spiked collar fitted around Romilda's neck.

"No! 'Mione!" Ron saw her crash into the cans. She groaned and fell still.

Ron angrily spun round to Romilda, and raised his wand. "Levicorpus!" he yelled.

The spell hit their unwelcome visitor – but instead of rising into the air, the girl remained glued to the ground.

Harry blinked – uncertain of what he'd witnessed. He was just a foot or so away from the dark-haired witch, so if he fired a spell himself…

"Stupefy!" he roared.

There it was again. Romilda shuddered slightly, but there was a brief flash from the gold spiked collar around her neck…

It was absorbing the magic fired at her! Harry shot his eyes across to Ron, and his friend's expression showed that he had clicked onto the truth as well.

Romilda was still smiling – but her lips were stretched tightly now. "Oh, you boys want to play? Fine by me. Your spells can't touch me – or my new father's pack!" Suddenly, she moved. In a flash, Harry found himself twisted into a rugby hold by Romilda. He gasped. His 'admirer' was strong, her muscles like iron.

"Hey! Let him go!" Ron protested.

But Romilda had now wrestled Harry's wand out of his grasp. Turning, and using Harry as a shield, Romilda struck back with a spell of her own choice.

"Crucio!"

Although he tried, Ron was unable to dive aside in time. He screamed as the Unforgiveable curse hit him – then collapsed upon the dry ground, withering as though he was being prodded all over by red-hot pokers.

"Stop it!" Harry gasped, as he tried to wrestle Romilda's wand aim away from Ron. He wasn't succeeding. "Break free of whatever's possessed you!"

He heard her laugh. "We follow our father now. Him, the Dark Lady, and her nephew – the Heir-To-Be."

Oh great… I can guess who she means… Harry grunted, and pushed harder against Romilda.

"Leave Ron alone!" Hermione was stirring. Her voice sounded strained. Rough. "Or I'll…"

"Do what? The Dark Lady wants you all dead, Granger," Romilda announced, matter-of-factly. She broke off her spell, and aimed Harry's wand at Hermione instead. "Crucio!" she yelled.

Hermione was scrambling to her feet, when the Crutacious curse struck her. She screamed, and fell back down. Then she gritted her teeth, fighting the pain.

"Yaagghh! You… Urrhh! Grrrhhh!"

With a shock, Harry realised something new was happening. Before he could work out what, he managed to slam his foot into the calf muscle of Romilda's leg. She gave a cry, as both her and Harry toppled sideways. At the same time, he pulled hard at his wand, still in the girl's grasp. Suddenly, he succeeded – and it went flying through the air.

He rolled over into the camping bed made for him, and the world continued spinning as Harry's head swam. Recovering, he looked up to see Romilda casting off her cloak – to reveal…well, very little, in fact. The only things she was wearing now were her underwear and the spiked collar around her neck.

The reason why soon became evident. Romilda closed her eyes momentarily, as if concentrating – and when she re-opened them her body was sprouting a dark coat of fur. As Harry watched, nursing his sore head, Romilda's features swiftly changed – her ears rising up the sides of her elongating head and becoming pointed, the smooth face pushing out into a hairy muzzle, the glassy-looking eyes turning into yellow orbs that burned with the promise of a painful death.

She raised her hands, and watched with satisfaction as her claws grew into place. Almost a wolf-girl now, she gave a guttural laugh. "I'll make it quick for you, Harry darling… Then I'll ffinish off that foolish Weasley boy…, and that self-important Ggranger wwitch."

"Leave…them…alone!"

The latest voice was Hermione's, but it was only half-recognisable. Harry, and Ron – who was still recovering from his ordeal – looked across at their friend. Hermione's body was jerking as she forced herself to her feet. Kicking her shoes off, her fingers trembled as she hurriedly unbuttoned her blouse and took it off. Hermione's unbelted dress dropped to the ground – leaving just her undies.

Then Harry and Ron saw the cause of Hermione's agitation. Her flushed skin quickly grew a fuzz of hair that lengthened into a brown pelt of fur. Bones cracked, morphed, and realigned themselves – even as Romilda's transformation ended.

A slack-jawed Harry and Ron took in the sight of Hermione's underwear snapping apart. By the time the garments reached the ground, joining Romilda's, their friend was already acquiring her new tail, pointed ears and darkening nose. Hermione's now-furry face pushed out into a muzzle for the first time, and she licked her lengthening teeth.

"Harry is…noww my…pack-bbrother," Hermione growled. "And you nneed…to be…ttaught some manners…!"

" 'Mione…," Ron whispered. His startled expression slowly changed into a grin. He raised his voice. "Yes! Go for it, Hermione!"

Within a matter of moments, Hermione's change was done. She was now a young, brown-furred wolf-woman, standing upright and facing the dark humanoid werewolf – their body language and exposed claws silently challenging each other.

"You arre just new-bornn…!" Romilda sneered, her voice distorted. She then leapt forward to tackle Hermione – or rather, she tried to. The black wolf-girl gave a snarl as she realised Harry had pulled on her collar with both hands, impeding her progress.

Hermione dived in for the attack, her now-amber eyes glinting as her pain and fury fuelled her desire to punish Romilda for her dark-spell casting. New-found energy flooded the veins of the latest werewolf, and she strove to use that to her advantage – before Romilda's experience overcame her.

With a howl, Romilda threw Harry off her back – and the two lupine females clashed, wrestling each other with their strengthened physiques. After a few claw swipes, the black werewolf punched Hermione, and sent her flying backwards out of the tent, via the entrance flaps.

Her bestial instincts stoked to the point of no return, Romilda ignored the screams of the humans present in the village of tents outside. Instead, she concentrated solely upon the fallen, newly-formed werewolf, who was lying sprawled on the ground.

Hermione growled. The yells of the pupils, plus the scents of fear, were assaulting her sharpened senses. She pressed a half-paw to her cut chest, feeling the blood staining her fur. Already, the wound was closing – a bonus of hew new status. Still, she was in pain…

Before she could get up, however, Romilda was striding menacingly towards her on her rear legs...

"Stupefy!"

Romilda froze as about four spells were fired at her by the fastest of the reacting pupils. All of the magic, however, was absorbed by her enchanted collar. She barked a laugh, and reached out a clawed half-paw to crush Hermione's throat.

"Timme to ddie…, Grangger!"

Hermione whined. She tried to move her battered body…

"Incendrio!"

"Incendrio!"

Romilda spun round. Harry and Ron had set fire, with their wands, to some extra blankets. The flames made the animal in her afraid…

"Three…, two…, one… Levicorpus!" the two young men cried out, in unison. The next spell caused the burning blankets to rise up, and then smack Romilda – the first squarely into her muzzle, the other onto her legs. Within seconds, her black fur was burning.

With a scream, the wolf-girl fought off the blankets assailing her – and she rolled over on the short grass, desperate to extinguish the fire consuming her. Only half-succeeding, Romilda got her clawed feet again, and turned – making directly for Harry.

She bellowed her agony at him, her eyes with hatred, as he fell over backwards in his bid to escape her. He accidently knocked over Ron, too.

Stuff it! His mind screamed, in his panic.

There was suddenly a noise resembling a 'choo'. An arrow embedded itself in Romilda's side, sending her spiralling to the ground. She collapsed, and her outstretched claws caught the edges of Harry's shoes.

Harry's heart continued to pound madly. The black werewolf was wailing, her fur still burning, as she pulled herself closer to him, inch by inch…

"Har-ry…!" she croaked.

Without warning, there was a flash of metal in the air. With a 'thud' it landed in the burning flesh of the wolf-girl's back – leaving the handle of a throwing knife exposed. Romilda's yellow eyes went wide, then the fire died in them. Her body tensed, arched – then rolled off Harry, collapsing next to him. She did not move again.

Harry finally allowed himself to breath once more. He wiped the sweat on his brow – then looked up, to see the crowd of bewildered and frightened pupils gathering close by, leaving a wide semi circle around the scene of Romilda's last stand.

Ron was equally spaced out – but he had seen who had saved them all.

"Thanks, guys!" Ron called out – just as Ernie Macmillan and Charlotte Greenway stepped forward. Ernie had his fired bow in his hands. Meanwhile, Charlotte gazed with horrified fascination at Romilda Vane's burning body. The smell from the blaze was beginning to fill the air.

"We've… We've really killed her!" she whispered. Her grip relaxed on the second throwing knife that was held ready in her hand.

"Yeah." Harry felt his bruises and the healing cuts on his hands. "I'm glad you did, Charlotte… Ernie… It was her or us. Thank you."

"Hey!" Somebody shouted amongst the pupils gathered. He pointed to the other furred werewolf present. "What about her? Is she a threat, too?"

Harry realised it was Alex Greenway who had spoken.

"Hermione…" Harry got to his feet, just as a wide-eyed Luna Lovegood ran out of the crowd. She and Ernie helped Harry over to his injured friend.

Ron was already there, rubbing the head of the new werewolf as she whimpered. Hermione was still lying on the ground underneath the evening sky, her animal eyes reflecting the glow of the magically-lit lanterns around the cluster of tents.

"Hey…" Ron whispered to her soothingly. "It's alright, 'Mione. The bad wolf's gone. You helped to bring her down!"

Hermione was examining herself with her eyes – running her gaze across her forepaws, her claws, her pelt, and so on. Then she sniffed at Ron, and reached out a forepaw to him. He smiled and squeezed it.

"I still love you, you know," he declared, his eyes moist with tears.

"Rronnn," Hermione growled softly. "Brrotherr…." She looked up at Harry, and tilted her head. "Brrotherr…," she repeated.

"Yes… Pack-brother, you called me." Harry disengaged himself from his aides and knelt besides Hermione, to gently stroke her furred shoulder. "We all belong together now, Hermione," he announced with a smile – then he looked across at Ron. "But how…?"

"It's my fault," Ron answered "I've only just realised! Back in Lupin's study – when Hermione had her head gashed by the Inferious that was Madame Pince. I was half-wolf… You and Ginny were in the other room, and I went to 'Mione's rescue. I instinctively licked her head wound, when the fight was over. Hermione seemed to stiffen – then she urged me to keep licking. She must have known what the result would be, even when I wasn't aware of the consequences…"

"You infected Hermione… Without the need to bite her. She was afraid of being bitten… And her emotions at Romilda's actions kick-started the change," Harry reasoned.

One of the students, a Slytherin boy who was at the front of the crowd, gingerly stepped forward. "Do ya mean to say all three of you lot are werewolves?" He scowled. "You're a threat tur us, then!"

This prompted some angry mutterings amongst the crowd.

"Silence!"

Everyone turned, to see Professor Moody limping along, a blood-stained bandage wrapped around his head. Besides him, Hagrid was carrying a dead deer over his shoulder.

Mad Eye took in the scene before him. "So you know, now," he rumbled at the gathering of pupils. "Then know this! Those three members of staff – like Professor Lupin – have sworn to protect you from our enemies. Those three werewolves are your guardians against those who would hunt us down." He jabbed the stump of his missing lower leg into the still-ablaze body of Romilda Vane. "Such as her, it seems!"

The Slytherin boy, plus a few others, shifted uncomfortably. "You lot didn't stop the invasion!" he spat.

Harry felt himself bristling, and he stood up. "For your information, everybody, the Stone Inferi – those monstrosities which came out of the walls of Hogwarts itself – they were defeated, thanks to the sacrifice of a werewolf. A pupil, such as yourselves! If it hadn't been for her, far more of us would be dead by now! And yes – Ron, Hermione, and me pledged ourselves to the safeguarding of Hogwarts. And we lost the battle. We were outnumbered…"

He slowly limped around the large avenue between the tents – the front line of the gathered crowd shifted for him. All eyes were on Harry as he continued speaking. "But I promise you this – we will return! Me, and my friends, will not rest until Hogwarts has been restored to its rightful owners and residents. It's true that Ron, Hermione, and I are werewolves now. But we are not inhumane monsters! We have control over ourselves. If you a friend of Hogwarts, you have no cause to fear us. Judge us by our actions – not by our blood!

"So…," he breathed, staring back at his audience. "It's down to you all, now. Are you prepared to trust us? Or do you want us out?"

The silence that followed was nerve-wracking. Harry felt his heart beating with the fear of rejection. He also sensed the tension radiated from Ron and Hermione.

There were a few coughs, as the pupils looked at each other, weighing up Harry's words. Each of them afraid of being the first to speak.

"I'll vouch for you guys," Alex Greenway announced. "I fought alongside you against the Inferi. I trust you."

"That goes for me, too," his cousin Charlotte added.

Luna had been just as surprised as most by the revelations that Harry had just delivered, but she stepped forward and smiled. "I can accept you for what you are, Harry. And you too, Ron and Hermione!"

"Me, also," announced Neville. His opinion was supported by Ernie. And then by ever-growing numbers by other students – across all four houses, including Slytherin. And, of course, Hagrid and Moody threw their hats into the ring. Even a wounded Argus Filch, who had limped out of a tent to investigate the noise, eventually gave his vocal support to the young staff members.

The distrusting Slytherin boy hung his head. "All right," he declared, pointing at Romilda Vane's body. "What about her? Our spells didn't work! How many werewolves does Fenrir Greyback have? Are they protected 'gainst magic, too? What are we to do, now?"

Ron stood up. Hermione rose upon her rear paws with him, ready for trouble.

"You know what?" Ron folded his arms. "That's a lot of really good questions." He looked over to Moody.

The Auror cast his magical eye over everyone present. "Taking Hogwarts back won't be easy," he responded. "We'll have to find out all we can. About Fenrir's werewolves. About everyone and everything at the enemy's disposal. This will take a lot of forethought and time – before we even dare to try!"

"As long as it takes, Professor – we won't give up!" Harry solemnly declared. "Who's up for the job?"

"Count me in." Ernie raised his bow into the air.

"And me," one of the girls in the crowd declared.

"Me, too!" someone else called out.

One by one, everyone pledged their support – until the whole crowd was cheering.

"Let's hear it for Hogwarts, then!" Hagrid raised his arms into the air, as though conducting an orchestra.

Harry and the others felt themselves glowing with relief, and pride. Hermione gave Ron's nose a quick lick, then presented the same show of affection to Harry. The two young men cupped their hands around Hermione's shoulders – displaying their unity for all to see.

The cries of the students grew louder.

"Hogwarts! Hogwarts! Hogwarts…!"