May 1st, 1998

The day starts off normally.

I wake up in Regulus's arms, despite everything, and we stay like that until Cassie wakes up. Regulus makes breakfast and Cassie laughs at everything he does. I sit next to her and try to teach her new words. We go outside and play with Cassie until lunchtime. Cassie takes a nap after lunch and Regulus and I sit in the library, both doing our own things but still wanting to be close to each other. We get a letter from Elio and send one back quickly. Cassie wakes up and Regulus makes dinner for the three of us.

We're cleaning up from dinner when things start to go wrong.

A blinding blue light comes bouncing through the house and stops suspended above the kitchen counter. It's a lynx, Kingsley's patronus.

"Potter has arrived at Hogwarts. Report to the Hogs Head Inn ASAP."

The patronus repeats this twice until it disapparates into thin air.

I swallow harshly and look over at Regulus. He stares at me before glancing at our daughter and then back at me.

"We better get her to Andromeda's then," Regulus says.

We move quickly. I pack a bag for Cassie with a couple of days' worth of things since I don't know how long we'll be gone. Then I meet Regulus downstairs so that we can take the Floo to Andromeda Tonks's house.

Since all of our usual trusted people to watch Cassie are a part of the Order, it left Andromeda as our last option. She's the only other person that Regulus and I trust with our kids.

Regulus steps into the fireplace first, holding Cassie. He grabs some Floo powder out of the bucket and throws it down. "Andromeda Tonks's house," He says clearly.

Green flames erupt and Regulus and Cassie are gone.

I step into the fireplace and grab some Floo powder. "Andromeda Tonks's house," I say.

When the green flames subside, I step out of the fireplace and stand in the living room next to Regulus.

Andromeda, who was peacefully reading on the couch, is clearly startled by our arrival. She looks at all of us then her face falls after she remembers the circumstances of our visit.

"It's time then, isn't it?" She asks.

"It is," Regulus nods.

Andromeda gets up from the couch and meets us halfway. "I'll take care of her for you, don't worry," She says. "But you both need to stay safe. Return in one piece, okay?"

"We'll try our best," I say.

I go to Cassie, who is still in Regulus's arms. "We'll be back soon, okay?" I say, trying to stop my voice from wavering. "I love you so so much." I kiss Cassie on the forehead and hold her small body against mine. Her little hand rests on my cheek until I pull away.

"I love you," Regulus tells her. "Mum and I will be back soon." He holds her close and presses a kiss into her blonde hair.

The fireplace crackles and turns green before it dies out and Remus and Tonks step out of the Floo, the latter holding Teddy.

"Oh dear," Andromeda says sadly, "You all better be careful."

"We will," Tonks says. "I promise, mum."

Remus and Tonks say their goodbyes to their newborn son and hand him over to Andromeda. We all say goodbye to Andromeda then take turns using the fireplace to Floo to the Hog's Head Inn since there's an Anti-Disapparation Jinx in the village of Hogsmeade now.

When I step out of the fireplace next, I'm in the dinghy back room of the Hog's Head Inn. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Bill and Fleur Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Jack Trouche are already waiting.

"Good, you're all here now," Kingsley says and Regulus, Remus, Tonks, and I file into the room with everyone else. "We're in for a long night."

All of us walk through a portrait and down a dark corridor that will lead us to the Room of Requirement. The air feels charged with every step that I take. Regulus grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers some time along the way and doesn't let go.

"You and me?" He asks quietly.

"You and me," I affirm.

We reach the end of the tunnel, Kingsley pushes through the door, and we step into the Room of Requirement. Dumbledore's Army has apparently been camping out here, so there are hammocks hung throughout the large room, and cots and blankets scattered among the floor.

There's a blur of introductions and instructions until all of the students are gone, except for Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom. All of us walk through the corridors and wait to barge into the Great Hall.

There's loud chattering coming from the Great Hall, then I can clearly hear Harry's voice before we're pushing open the doors to the Great Hall.

The room bursts into conversation, and all eyes are on us.

I quickly search the sea of students for the boys. I find Atlas first, standing with all of the Gryffindors. He makes eye contact with Regulus and me and looks extremely relieved to see us. I find Elio next, among the Slytherins. There are a lot of looks of distaste coming from them but Elio's posture softens when he spots us.

"Tell them how it happened that night!" Harry yells, pulling me back to reality. "Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed them! Tell them!"

Snape raises his wand and points it at Harry, but McGonagall steps in front of Harry with her wand at the ready. I pull out my wand as well and the rest of the Order follows.

All of the students crowd against the walls, looks of fear and shock on their faces.

McGonagall fires a spell at Snape. Orange light fires out from her wand and hits him. She repeats this over and over. Snape fires back, pale green light coming from his wand, but he's no match for McGonagall.

She goes in for another hit but Snape disappears in a black cloud that goes out of the broken window.

"Coward!" McGonagall yells.

The students erupt into cheers. It doesn't last long because the lights go out and Harry stumbles back and the sky goes dark, thunder rumbling close by. A young girl screams, hands covered over her ears.

Then, I hear his voice in my head.

I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour.

The voice stops and the lights come back on.

Everyone stands around Harry, the entire room in suspense.

"What are you waiting for?" An older Slytherin girl calls. "Someone grab him!"

Ginny Weasley is the first to step in front of Harry, followed by Hermione. More and more people go to stand with Harry until there's a group surrounding him.

"Students out of bed! Students out of bed!" Filch comes running into the Great Hall holding Mrs. Norris. "Students in the corridor!"

"They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!" McGonagall replies.

Filch looks around. "Oh, sorry ma'am," He says.

"As it happens, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I would like you, please, to lead all underage students out of the hall," McGonagall instructs. She looks over at Kingsley to continue.

"If you are of age and want to fight, we will not force you to leave. If you are underage, you will be evacuated from Hogwarts," Kingsley explains.

People move quickly, queuing up to evacuate, or grouping together with their friends to stay and fight.

I spot Atlas and Elio and call them over.

"Mum, dad!" Elio says.

Both of the boys hug Regulus and me, and I savor it until they pull away.

"Both of you are to evacuate Hogwarts," I say. "You're underage, so you have to leave."

"I want to stay and fight," Atlas says.

Regulus shakes his head. "No, you have to leave. You both have to leave and get to safety. This isn't negotiable."

Atlas doesn't look pleased, but he obliges. "Okay," He says.

"I love you both so much," I tell them. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"I love you boys," Regulus says. "So much."

Elio hugs each of us another time. "I love you too, see you soon," He says,

Atlas doesn't look happy.

"Atlas, please," I say.

"Okay," He replies. "I love you too."

Both of the boys go stand with all of the other students that are waiting to be evacuated through the secret tunnel.

McGonagall comes rushing over to Regulus and me.

"It's good to see you two, though I wish it was under different circumstances," She says. "I need your help securing the castle."

"We're on it," Regulus says.

Regulus and I exit the Great Hall to go out to the courtyard and set up defensive and protection spells around the castle. We leave the Great Hall just as students begin to evacuate.

- - - - -

Surprise, I couldn't resist the urge to post this so here we are.