Harry! My heart soared. And there was Ron and Hermione too, entering the Hall accompanied by the rest of the Weasley's, Lupin, Tonks, Luna, Dean and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The relief swept over me, drowning out my fear.

"How dare you stand where he stood." Harry glared at Snape, withdrawing his wand. I felt Draco stiffen, he was eyeing the wand in Harry's hand with a peculiar longing.

"Tell them how it was that night. Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you... and killed him. Tell them!"

The air prickled in anticipation. It felt as though the whole room was holding its breath, no one daring to breath as we all looked from Harry to Snape.

And then, just as Snape drew his own wand, Professor McGonagall jumped in front of Harry and a blast issued from her wand towards Snape. Draco swiftly pulled me behind him, shielding me as Snape parried McGonagall's spell and sent it ricocheting around the room.

Chaos ensued, as others stepped in, attacking Snape who could barely defend himself, sending spells flying every which way, even hitting the Carrow's. Draco pulled me over to the wall, desperately trying to shelter me with his body, his wand drawn out ready in his hand.

Obviously realising he was very much outnumbered, Snape fled out of the window, McGonagall screaming furiously after him.

"Coward! COWARD! And he didn't even stay to fight!"

She turned towards Harry who was grinning across the room. "Mr Potter, do you mind telling me what you're doing here, which, I trust you realise, is an act of complete and utter lunacy?"

"I'm a Gryffindor."

"I thought it might have something to do with that." And then she turned to address the whole room. "It appears that your Headmaster, to use the common phrase, has done a bunk."

The room erupted into excited and relieved cheers. Draco pulled me into his arms, I could feel his heart thudding in his chest as he wrapped me tightly to him.

"What is this?!"

Draco and I jumped apart. Pansy Parkinson stood glaring at us, her arms folded tightly against her chest, a look of utmost fury on her face.

"You?! And her?!" She spat, hatred seething from every word. "This is what you ditched me for? A disgusting, filthy little Mudblood?!"

Draco growled as he took a protective step in front of me. Pansy, though, cackled loudly at this gesture. "Oh that's priceless! The Death Eater protecting his Mudblood skank-"

Bang!

Pansy went flying back a few feet before landing in a heap on the ground. I tucked my wand back in my pocket.

"I've wanted to do that for a long time." I smiled up at Draco's stunned face - his mouth agape.

Recovering from his shock, he grinned back at me. "I've never loved you more," he said as he pulled me to him, kissing me hard on the lips.

"I bet that was as satisfying as it looked," I pulled apart from Draco, and turned to my addresser. Ron was grinning down over at Pansy, who was now being helped up by Blaise Zabini.

"Ron!" I threw my arms around him, and then around Hermione too, who had approached behind him.

"I'm so glad you're all here ok," I breathed, squeezing Hermione hard.

"Only just," Hermione said, shaking her head. "But we got what we needed. And Ron's just helped me to destroy it." Her eyes twinkled as they met Ron's. I smiled at the look they shared, so very happy for them.

Just then, Harry approached, his green eyes on me. "Rosie," he said, giving me a little nod.

"Oh, Harry!" I cried, flinging my arms around his neck. I was so happy to see my friend.

Harry hugged me back, if not a little reluctantly at first.

"Potter."

I let go of Harry, turning back to Draco, who had stiffly interrupted our reunion.

Harry's eyes glowered as they rested on Draco's cold stare. The atmosphere was suddenly tense.

"Malfoy." Harry answered, equally stiffly, before giving a curt nod.

Draco's arm wrapped possessively around my shoulders. I could tell he was itching to say something else to Harry, but whatever it was, he refrained from speaking, perhaps realising that now was not the time.

The lights suddenly flickered in the hall and there were screams as we were all thrown into sudden darkness. I felt Draco grip my hand tightly. The lights came back on just as quickly as they had gone out, and then suddenly a high, cold and clear voice echoed throughout the hall. There was no telling from where it came; it seemed to issue from the walls themselves.

"I know that you are preparing to fight."

Students around us screamed, clutching on to one another in fear. Draco's eyes met mine, a look of terror passed between us.

"Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."

The Hall fell into the kind of silence that presses against your eardrums.

"Give me Harry Potter," said Voldemort's voice, "and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."

The silence swallowed them all again. Every head seemed to be turned to Harry now. No one seemed to know what to do or say.

"But he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!"

I turned my head to that awful familiar screeching voice. Pansy was back on her feet and she was pointing a shaking arm towards Harry. My fingers twitched as I reached for my wand.

But I wasn't the only one. The Gryffindors moved to stand in front of Harry, followed by the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Each and every one of them raising their wands towards Pansy threateningly.

"Thank you, Miss Parkinson," McGonagall called out in a clipped voice. "You will leave the Hall first with Mr Filch. If the rest of your house could follow."

All the Slytherins bar Draco and myself started towards the exit. Once they had cleared, I suddenly felt very awkward as the Hall turned its attention onto me and Draco. All eyes now on us.

"And you," McGonagall said, addressing Draco. "Am I to understand that you fight with us?" Her eyes darted pointedly to his left arm. The insinuation was clear.

Draco swallowed nervously. I squeezed his hand. He glanced down at me and then back at McGonagall, giving her a stiff nod. "I fight with you."

I couldn't help but give him a huge smile, I felt so proud of him, and I felt so proud to be standing with him, by his side.

"Well, then," McGonagall said, drawing herself up to her full height, clapping her hands brusquely together. "It looks like we have a castle to protect. Let the battle begin."

***