too close to the stars - H.J.P

Chapter Eighty

Then a figure rose from the Slytherin table and he recognized Pansy Parkinson as she raised a shaking arm and screamed, "But he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!"

Noel stepped in front of him, before Harry could speak, there was a massive movement. The Gryffindors in front of him had risen and stood facing, not Harry, but the Slytherins. Then the Hufflepuffs stood, and almost at the same moment, the Ravenclaws, all of them with their backs to Harry, all of them looking toward Pansy instead, and Harry, awestruck and overwhelmed, saw wands emerging everywhere, pulled from beneath cloaks and from under sleeves.

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

"Ravenclaws, follow on!" cried Professor McGonagall. Slowly the four tables emptied. The Slytherin table was completely deserted,there seemed to be only three remaining which Noel recognized to be Theo's friends, Blaise Zabini, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass.

A number of older Ravenclaws remained seated while their fellows filed out; even more Hufflepuffs stayed behind, and half of Gryffindor remained in their seats, necessitating Professor McGonagall's descent from the teachers' platform to chivvy the underage on their way.

Kingsley had stepped forward on the raised platform to address those who had remained behind. "We've only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast! A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix. Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and McGonagall are going to take groups of fighters up to the three highest towers — Ravenclaw, Astronomy, and Gryffindor — where they'll have a good overview, excellent positions from which to work spells.

Meanwhile Remus" — he indicated Lupin — "Arthur" — he pointed toward Mr. Weasley, sitting at the Gryffindor table — "and I will take groups into the grounds. We'll need somebody to organize defense of the entrances of the passageways into the school —"

"Sounds like a job for us," called Fred, indicating himself and George, and Kingsley nodded his approval.

"All right, leaders up here and we'll divide up the troops!"

Noel immediately followed her dad, standing  behind him which strongly reminded Remus of when she was younger, she used to hide behind him whenever she was afraid.

"We might need one or two more wands on this side." Kingsley said to Remus as they watched from the Astronomy tower. Noel gazed at the night sky, the stars twinkled in delight, they were oddly dim she noticed.

"It is the quality of one's conviction that determines the success, not the number of followers." Remus said.

"Who said that?" Kingley asked, impressed.

"Me." Remus replied, looking at his friend from the corner of his eye.

Noel watched anxiously, as the dome that was protecting the castle from being attacked was being hit and penetrated with spells.

It was oddly beautiful, a melancholy feeling settled in her chest and Noel now knew that this was it. This moment determined the future of the wizarding world.

She wondered how Harry felt, the weight and responsibility being in his hands must be a heavy burden.

Suddenly a horrible rumble resonated throughout the air. Looking up, the dome had completely shattered and all the spells that were being rebounded now hit the castles.

Hogwarts rumbled with the stampede of Death Eaters and their allies, the Giants that Voldemort had recruited. Taking in a shaky breath in to calm her racing heart, Noel gripped her wand in her hand.