Chapter 1514: The Counteroffensive Horn
Chapter 1514: The Counteroffensive Horn
Today was undoubtedly a magical day for all the students of Hogwarts.
As they hurriedly finished their dinners, abandoning their half-done homework, and gathered in the common room to listen to the daily broadcast of the Wizarding Watch, they were suddenly startled by Lee Jordan's startling declaration of war.
"...We have waited too long for this day...the day of Voldemort's demise."
This series of impassioned statements left the students in the common room stunned and speechless.
Who would have thought that the major event mentioned on the Wizarding Watch broadcast was referring to the final battle against Voldemort, and that the location would be Hogwarts?
This news undoubtedly left everyone bewildered.
Isn't Hogwarts still under Voldemort's control?
How can you turn the school into a battlefield so arrogantly without consulting Headmaster Snape, the other professors, and the entire student body?
After hearing this earth-shattering news, the common room erupted into chaos.
Some students screamed in excitement, others were anxious and fearful, some thought the Wizarding Watch was joking, and a few believed they were disregarding the students' safety... But most students were simply left dumbfounded by the announcement.
The common room, filled with clamor and commotion, soon quieted down with the arrival of the Heads of Houses.
"Professor McGonagall, the broadcast said..." A senior student swallowed nervously and asked, trembling, "...Is it true?"
"Yes, it's true. The war has begun," Professor McGonagall confirmed. "Just now, Snape fled!"
The common room was instantly filled with deafening cheers as countless students celebrated the departure of the old bat.
Professor McGonagall had to raise her wand and create a series of ear-piercing explosions to calm the raucous students.
"Quiet, let me speak," she said.
The din in the common room gradually faded, and all eyes turned to Professor McGonagall.
"The cruelest wizarding war in history is about to unfold here. Before the war breaks out, we will send you away," she announced, sharing the plans for the students' evacuation.
"Prefects, lead everyone to the Great Hall. We need to get you out of the school as soon as possible," Professor McGonagall instructed.
She then tried to find the Gryffindor prefect among the students but, failing to spot them, turned to the person beside her and said, "You're in charge here, Longbottom."
"Yes, Professor," Neville replied confidently.
The Neville Longbottom of today was no longer the meek boy who used to acquiesce to everyone.
As everyone's attention shifted to Neville, a group of Dumbledore's Army members appeared and took over the task of evacuating the students from the professors.
"Hurry up, everyone. Don't bother with your luggage. We must send you away before the battle with Voldemort begins," they urged.
Neville pressed his wand against his throat and, in a deafeningly loud voice, addressed the students who were still dazed and unsure of the situation. "If you want to stay and fight, now is the time to step forward."
"What about us?" asked the extras as Professor McGonagall was about to step out of the common room.
His question was met with cheers from a group of students.
"If you're of age, you can stay," Professor McGonagall replied, pausing at the doorway and turning back to face the students. "But the other students must leave immediately."
"Those who wish to join us in standing against the Death Eaters, raise your wands. Help us evacuate the students from the school," said a member of Dumbledore's Army.
"Remember, only take your wands. Leave everything else behind," Neville shouted to the crowd. "After this wizarding war is over, you'll need to come back to class, and the most important thing right now is to get everyone out safely."
"Can we win?" someone whispered, voicing the uncertainty that filled the room.
Their opponent was Voldemort, after all—a man who was nearly immortal! "Of course, we can win. We've prepared for this day, and it has finally arrived," Neville said with determination. "Tonight will be Voldemort's end."
However, his words didn't carry much weight, but Gryffindor House was never short of brave hearts.
Many students expressed their willingness to join the fight, but most were rejected due to their lack of qualifications.
"I don't recommend that those who are too young stay behind," Neville continued. "You haven't undergone systematic combat training, and we do not condone reckless sacrifice. However, if there are any sixth or seventh years who wish to help, you may do so."
"Why are they allowed to stay?" someone asked, pointing at the Creevey brothers.
"They've undergone extensive combat training and will be of use," Neville replied, glancing at his watch. "Now come on, let's go!"
Similar scenes were unfolding in the other Houses as well.
As for Slytherin, their situation was an exception, and it was left to Professor Slughorn to organize their evacuation personally.
Soon, the long tables in the Great Hall were crowded with students, and Mr. Filch and Madam Pomfrey were still helping to maintain order.
With the help of Dumbledore's Army, the evacuation proceeded in an orderly manner. Students were grouped by their Houses and led into Albert's briefcase, from where they were transported by house-elves to the abandoned Headquarters of the Defense Association. Simple tents had been set up there for the students to spend the night.
The Slytherins, however, had a slightly different experience. To prevent any secrets from being leaked, they were knocked out with a mass stunning spell as soon as they entered the briefcase.
"Are we just going to wait here idly?" asked one of the newly arrived students, looking around the now-empty Great Hall.
"Don't worry, someone will be here soon to assign us our tasks," Neville reassured, stepping forward to calm the growing restlessness.
That task fell to Percy, as Kingsley had gone to meet with his former colleagues—experienced Aurors—in the hopes of persuading them to join their cause.
As Neville had promised, they were soon given their assignments.
Some were tasked with blowing up the connecting bridges, while others helped Professor Sprout move dangerous plants from the greenhouses, intending to give the invaders a nasty surprise.
They also gathered the remaining helpers (students) and created numerous pits and swamps near the Forbidden Forest to prevent Voldemort from using hordes of Inferi as cannon fodder in his assault on Hogwarts.
As Hogwarts buzzed with feverish preparations, the battle in Hogsmeade was drawing to a close. Fred and George, taking advantage of their numerical superiority, swiftly dealt with a large number of Dark Wizards, though the resistance they encountered was more intense than they had anticipated.
(End of Chapter)
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