"What do we do, Professor?" Neville asked.

"Blow up the bridges leading to the Quidditch pitch," Minerva repeated simply as she continued her march.

"Let me get this straight, Professor. You're giving us permission to do that?"

"That's correct, Longbottom."

"Blow everything up? Boom?"

"Boom!"

"Wicked," Neville sighed in admiration. "But how do we do that?"

"Why not ask Mr. Finnigan? If I recall correctly, he has a penchant for setting things on fire and blowing things up," she cast a sly look at Seamus, raising an eyebrow.

"Especially his own eyebrows," Cassie playfully quipped.

"Hey!" Seamus nudged her with a scowl but was smiling. "Don't forget the back of my hair. I can bring down the whole lot."

"That's the spirit, off you go," Minerva dismissed, surveying the surroundings.

"You do realize we can't stall You-Know-Who forever," Professor Flitwick sighed.

"But that doesn't mean we can't delay him," Minerva asserted with conviction. "And his name is Voldemort. You can start calling him that. Start using it, he'll try to kill you anyway."

She sighed in resignation but then turned her attention to the statues and exclaimed, "Piertotum Locomotor!"

Along the corridor, statues and rmor jumped off their pedestals, and from the deafening sound on the floors below and above, Cassiopeia realized that similar companions all over the castle had done the same.

An army of statues was ready to fight.

Countless towering figures marched towards the front gates, passing through them as Minerva shouted, "Hogwarts is threatened! Man the walls, protect them, fulfill your duty to our school!"

Amid deafening roars and shouts, the moving crowd of statues passed Cassiopeia like a tsunami. Some were small, others colossal. Animals also advanced, and the armor clanked as they wielded swords and maces with determination.

Professors and students rallied at the gates, all raising their wands to the sky as they cast every known shield to protect the school. Soon, a chorus echoed from all sides: Protego Maxima, Fianto Duri, Repello Inimigotum.

Cassiopeia held Minerva's hand, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

"If we fail..." Minerva sighed, her own eyes filled with sorrow. "You will be severely punished."

"We all will be," Cassi dismissed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. She sighed before smiling at Minerva. "Either way, I'll be able to say that I fought bravely alongside my second mother."

Minerva couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down her cheeks. A slight twitch between a frown and a smile as she unsuccessfully tried to brush away the tears.

"Oh, Kitty... You've always been like the daughter I never had."

Cassi smiled tearfully before hugging her godmother. Both side by side, watching the shield encircle the school.

It was beautiful.

A barrage of spells began to rain from the sky, attempting to breach the shields. Minerva squeezed her hand tighter, the hand holding her wand gripping so hard that her knuckles turned white.

She knew Narcissa was on the other side, Bella and her mother as well. She silently pleaded for their safety, that they wouldn't be harmed.
None of them. None of the ones she loved.

(...)

The shields were falling. It meant that in a matter of moments, a horde of dark creatures followed by Death Eaters would be invading the skies, walls, and gates from all sides.

And her conclusion was correct; numerous giants, Death Eaters, and massive spiders began their attack. Many of the statues managed to bring down the enemies, but their numbers were far greater.

Minerva began calling everyone inside the Castle; they needed to retreat from the entrance as quickly as possible.

Enormous bombardments were being hurled at the school, and the walls began to crumble. Screams and lights emanated from wands, creating a chaotic spectacle.

Cassiopeia ran and stopped near Dolohov. She had no patience when she shouted, "Diffindo" so quickly that he didn't have time to raise his shield as a massive gash tore through his neck.

That's for that little stunt, clown.

Beams and structures exploded around them, hurling debris in all directions. She returned to the Castle, dodging the falling fragments, and went to find Harry, who was already accompanied by Ron and Hermione.

"So?" She asked eagerly, but before she could hear the answer, an explosion echoed above them. The four of them looked at the dust falling from the ceiling and heard a distant scream.

"I know what the diadem is and I know where it is," Harry hurriedly said. "He hid it exactly where I hid my old Potions book, where everyone has been hiding things for centuries. He thought he was the only one who discovered this place. Let's go."

Amid shaking walls, Harry led his friends through the corridors and descended the stairs towards the Room of Requirement. The place was empty, except for two figures: Ginny and an old witch with a hat chewed by moths, very similar to what Neville described when repelling a Boggart.

"It's Mrs. Longbottom!" Harry exclaimed as if expecting their arrival. "Can you update us on what's happening?"

"Is everyone okay?" Ginny asked, anxious.

"As far as we know. Is anyone else heading to the Hog's Head?" Harry inquired.

"I was the last to pass through there," Mrs. Longbottom replied. "I sealed the passage. I think it's foolish to keep it open now that Aberforth has left the bar. Have you seen my grandson?"

"He's fighting," Harry informed.

"Certainly," the elderly woman said, proud. "Excuse me, I need to help him." With surprising agility, she climbed the stone staircase.

"Hold on a moment!" Ron exclaimed energetically. "We forgot someone!"

"Who?" Hermione asked.

"The house-elves, they must be down in the kitchen, right?"

"You mean we should make the house-elves fight?" Harry asked.

"No," Ron replied seriously. "We should tell them to get out. We don't want them to get hurt. Right? We can't let them die for us..."

Cassi was stunned. "Is Dobby...?" She asked anxiously.

"He's okay," Harry assured, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

A crash echoed as the basilisk fangs cascaded from Hermione's arms. She ran to Ron, hugging him by the neck and giving him a kiss on the mouth. Ron dropped the fangs and the broomstick he was holding and returned the kiss with such enthusiasm that Hermione was lifted off the ground.

"Is this appropriate now?" Harry timidly asked, and as the scene remained unchanged, except that Ron and Hermione were embracing so tightly that they were swaying, even Cassiopeia felt uncomfortable.

"Now I understand Draco," she muttered to herself. "Hey! There's a war going on here!"

Ron and Hermione separated, still holding each other.

"I know, guys," Ron said, looking dazed. "So, it's now or never, right?" Harry gave him a scathing look.

"Right... sorry," Ron said, and he and Hermione began collecting the fangs, visibly embarrassed. It was clear when the four of them returned to the upper corridor that the situation in the castle had seriously deteriorated during the minutes they spent in the Room of Requirement. Walls and ceiling were shaking even more than before; dust filled the air, and through the nearest window, Cassi saw green and red flashes so close to the castle's base that she assumed they were already invading the main halls.

Looking down, she spotted Hagrid's giant brother wandering aimlessly, swinging what looked like a gargoyle stone torn from the roof, bellowing in discontent.

"I hope he steps on half of them!" Ron exclaimed as they heard other shouts nearby.

"As long as none of them are ours!" Tonks commented from behind them.

Cassi turned and saw Ginny and Tonks, both wielding their wands, watching the window ahead, which was missing several panes. The moment she looked, Ginny cast a precise spell at a group of fighters below.

"Good girl!" A figure ran through the dust towards them.

Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother, his grey hair fluttering, leading a small group of students.

"Looks like they're breaking through the northern battlements of the castle, brought allied giants!"

"Did you see Remus?" Tonks shouted to him.

"He was dueling Carrow," Aberforth shouted. "Then I didn't see him anymore!"

"Dora," Cassi approached her friend, touching her wrist. "I'm sure he's okay..."

However, Tonks had already dashed through the dust in Aberforth's wake.

Cassi turned helplessly to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"They'll be fine," Harry said.

"Ginny, we'll be right back, stay out of the way, don't take any risks... let's go!" He began running, calling the others, but Cassi stayed.

"You guys go! There are too many down there, I'll help."

"Are you sure, Cassi?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Yes! Go, quickly."

She turned around and in the main hall, Bill Weasley was with Fleur, sending some Death Eaters flying. Ginny was helping, and damn, she's really good.

Cassi crouched and yelled, "Stupefy," when Fenrir tried to attack Lavender from behind.

"Thanks."

"Pay it forward," she smiled, heading back down the stairs.

But she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her into a doorway leading to a room that used to be for Muggle Studies.

Bellatrix.

"You scared me!" She shouted in irritation, slapping the older woman.

"Shh! Stop that!" Bella scolded, gripping her wrist. "Listen to me! You coming here... Princess, he knows you're here. He suspects Draco, suspects you."

Cassi's eyes widened in panic.

"Don't worry, he sent a group of Slytherins after Potter, and Draco is following them. The boy's a good Occlumens, truly Narcissa's son," Bella smiled proudly. "But Noctua, the Dark Lord. She's in the front line, but she doesn't want to fight. I practically had to slap her. If Potter fails and Noctua's betrayal becomes obvious, I don't know what he'll do to you."

Cassi nodded, she and Narcissa had prepared a series of plans from A to F in case of failure. That's why Narcissa was without a wand, so she wouldn't have to fight or harm anyone. She also wouldn't be accused when Voldemort fell since she hadn't raised her wand to harm any of them in battle.

"But what about you? Bella, won't he know if you don't attack?" She asked anxiously.

"Not if they don't see me attacking. I just protected a Weasley, and believe me, he was so shocked he dropped his wand."

Cassiopeia held back a laugh. An explosion next to them caught their attention back to the battle.

"Please," they both spoke in unison.

Bella smiled sadly.

"Stay alive."

Cassiopeia gently touched her cheek, the older woman leaning into the touch with a sigh.

"I was about to say the same thing."

Bella swallowed as if gathering courage before kissing her intensely. Cassi gasped in surprise but embraced her, holding her close.

"Go," Bella whispered softly, and she left through the door, casting one last glance over her shoulder.

Cassiopeia followed shortly after, dodging debris, and saw a Bludger flying overhead through a window, barely avoiding it before the wall collapsed.

She helped two Ravenclaws to their feet.

"Thank you," Cho sighed, looking quite dazed.
Cassi didn't respond, just nodded before continuing.

She paused for a moment, surveying the Great Hall.

Her fellow students and some professors were there. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin, side by side with wands raised, not caring about their differences, all fighting for Hogwarts, fighting for a greater good, for all of them as it should have always been.

Cassiopeia looked around and didn't spot the troublesome Gryffindor trio. She grew worried; they were taking too long.

She hurried back to the Room of Requirement, and as she approached, she saw all of them flying on a broomstick, with a huge fiery figure destroying everything behind them.

She screamed in alarm when she saw Draco land from the broomstick with Harry, both crashing to the ground. The others landed, covered in smoke and struggling for breath.

"Crabbe... Crabbe..." Draco sobbed, looking back.

"He's dead," Ron hissed sharply. "He nearly killed all of us."

Cassiopeia looked in shock. She helped Draco and then Harry to their feet.

"You saved me! You saved me, Potter!" Draco cried, hugging him.

"Well, you saved me twice now. Once by pretending you didn't know who I was, and now by trying to stop Crabbe and Goyle from killing me. I owe you," Harry smiled awkwardly.

Draco smiled awkwardly, then composed himself and extended his hand. "Can I help you with that?" he said hopefully, his breath caught in his throat.

Harry stared at him before smiling. "I always know the right kind," he said, shaking his hand.

"You guys... seriously!" Cassi exclaimed exasperatedly.

But then a loud noise was heard, and a herd of ghosts rushed towards the battle. She saw the Bloody Baron running with the others, his chains trailing behind him.

"Where's Ginny?" Harry asked abruptly. "She was here. She should have gone back to the Room of Requirement."

"Damn, do you think it will still work after this fire?" Ron questioned, but he also got up, rubbing his chest and looking around.

"She didn't go back there. I saw her fighting in the main hall," Cassi explained. "Your sister's amazing, Ron."

He nodded, partly worried and partly proud.

"Harry, what's that on your arm?" he asked, looking at the silver object.

"Oh, it's..." He pulled the object from his wrist and showed it to them.

"The diadem," Cassi gasped, approaching. It seemed to have blood on it.

Tiny inscriptions were engraved on it: "The limitless spirit is man's greatest treasure."
Then Harry shuddered, and the thing fragmented.

"It must have been Fiendfyre!" Hermione murmured, her eyes fixed on the pieces of the diadem.

"Sorry?"

"Fiendfyre is one of the substances that destroys Horcruxes, but I never, ever would have dared use it, it's so dangerous. How could Crabbe have...?"

"He must have learned from the Carrows," Harry said, somberly.

"Too bad he wasn't paying attention when they taught how to put it out, too bad," replied Ron, whose hair, like Hermione's, was singed, and whose face was blackened. "If he hadn't tried to kill us, I might mourn his death."

"But don't you see?" Cassi smiled. "This means that if we can get Nagini..."

However, she fell silent when shouts, screams, and the unmistakable sounds of battle filled the corridor.

Draco and Goyle were without wands. She pushed them against a beam to shield themselves.

Death Eaters had penetrated the corridors of Hogwarts. Fred and Percy had just appeared, dueling, both fighting against the masked and hooded men. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Cassi ran to help: jets of light were flying in all directions, and the man Percy was fighting with quickly retreated. Then his hood slipped, and they saw the high forehead and white-streaked hair...

"Hello, Minister!" Percy shouted, accurately casting a spell at Thicknesse, who dropped his wand and clutched his robes in extreme embarrassment. "Did I mention I'm resigning?"
Cassiopeia smiled.

"You're joking, Perce!" Fred yelled, as the Death Eater he was fighting collapsed under the effect of three distinct Stunning Spells. Thicknesse had fallen to the ground with spikes sprouting all over his body, apparently turning into some form of sea urchin. Fred looked at Percy with satisfaction.

"You're really joking, Perce... I don't think I've heard you joke since you were..."

The air exploded. They were huddled together, Cassi, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and Percy, the two Death Eaters at their feet, one stupefied, the other transfigured; and in that fraction of a moment when danger seemed temporarily contained, the world split apart. Cassi felt like she was flying through the air, and all she could do was channel her magical core with all her might and extend her hand while shouting: "Hexa Protego Maxima!"
And instinctively, a bubble formed around the group.

She heard screams and shouts from her companions, with no hope of knowing what had happened to them.

Then, everything was reduced to pain and darkness. If it hadn't been for the spell, they would have been buried under the debris of the corridor that had suffered a terrible attack. The cold air made her realize that side of the castle had exploded.

When she looked at Harry, she saw blood on his face from the impact. She realized that he might be injured, given the pain in his temple. She understood that, without the spell, they would all be dead beneath the wreckage.

A terrible scream tore through the air, a sound of agony that fire and curses could not cause.
And Hermione was trying to stand amid the debris, and there were three red-haired men on the ground, who had been together when the wall exploded. Harry held one side of Hermione's hand, and Cassi held the other, and they stumbled