TWELVE STUDENTS OUT OF BED

Xander is buzzing in his Hufflepuff robes as he and the other students prepare to respond to Headmaster Snape's summoning. Diana is next to him as everyone slowly exits the Room of Requirement, preparing to meet up with the other members of their respective houses in an attempt to avoid suspicion. The girl squeezes his hand reassuringly, but it does not do much to quell his nerves. His stomach is aflutter, his mind worried with thoughts of what might happen next. Harry is going undercover along with Gryffindor, robes looking out of place covering muggle clothes, but with the hood up there is no reason to suspect anything is out of the ordinary.

They are just about to leave when Harry grabs Xander by the arm, saying, "Xander, wait. I want you to take this."

He hands something over to him and looking down, Xander sees that it's a wand. Draco's wand, to be precise, "Why? What do I need this for?"

"Give it back to him, but only when you feel he's earned it," Harry explains, "I think... I think if anyone can get him onto our side, it'll be you. So, give this back to him when you think we've got him."

Xander looks down at the wand, pocketing it carefully before turning back to Harry, "I can do that."

"Good, uh, see you on the other side, I suppose," Harry nods before going to meet up with the other Gryffindors.

He shoots a worried look over to Diana who offers nothing but a similar expression in return, showing that she is just as lost in this situation as he is. They sigh and pull up their hoods, joining the other Hufflepuff students as they began to march down to the Great Hall. His heart beats in tune with the thrum of heavy footsteps from the students surrounding him, no one knowing what exactly they've been summoned in the middle of the night for. Xander has a feeling it has to do with their return to the school, but he's not going to tell anyone else that.

Each house makes its way to the hall, everyone buzzing with uncertainty and fear, no one daring to sit as they instead stand in formation. Tne Carrows stand at the front of the room, their stern eyes observing every student in the crowd. He wonders if Harry will be discovered, but no one dares to make any sudden movements so they may be in the clear.

Snape enters the room and it is so silent, a pin drop would echo off of the ancient walls. He takes his place at the front of the room, in between the two Carrows, expression sour as always. His voice is slow and calculated as he speaks, "Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you here at this hour. It has come to my attention that earlier this evening... Harry Potter was spotted in Hogsmeade."

There was a burst of murmuring throughout the hall as Snape confirmed Xander's suspicion. His heartbeat quickened, but he made no show of it on his face.

"I mention this in the hopes that truth will not be supplanted by rumor," Snape continued, "For myself and a few select members of the staff this comes as little surprise. We have, for some time, considered Mr. Potter's return to Hogwarts to not only be possible but inevitable. Consequently, in the past several months and under my specific direction, exhaustive defensive strategies have been employed to defeat any attempt Mr. Potter might make to breach these walls. But know this. Should anyone -- student or staff -- attempt to aid Mr. Potter, that person will be punished in a matter consistent with the severity of their transgression. Rest assured: So long as I am Headmaster at Hogwarts, Harry Potter will never again step foot in this castle."

Of course, the Slytherin house burst into applause and Xander rolled his eyes, sharing a pointed look with Diana who simply shrugged her shoulders as if to say "Who's surprised?" Looking ahead once more, Snape raised a hand to silence the room.

"Now then," his voice swept the hall once more, "If anyone here has knowledge of Mr. Potter's movements this evening... I invite them to step forward now."

There is a heavy silence in the room, interrupted by footsteps. Everyone looks up in the direction of the noise and Xander sees Harry standing in the center of the room, pulling his hood back.

"I think I can help you with that," he says, "It would seem that, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster."

Xander and Diana nod, knowing this is their cue as they go to stand beside the others who have emerged into the great hall. Beside them stands Ron, Hermione, and the members of the Order of the Phoenix. He sees his old professors, the Weasley's, former students. They stand and face Snape.

Harry finishes what he was saying, "And I'm afraid it's rather extensive." He draws his wand. "How dare you stand where he stood. 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 is prickling with anticipation as Xander grips his own wand with one hand and Diana's hand with the other. He figures if they're going to die, he might as well die by her side. However, as soon as Snape goes to draw his wand, Professor McGonagall moves to stand in front of Harry, effectively blocking him as she casts a spell in the direction of the Headmaster. It seems as if this action has flipped a switch and chaos ensues between McGonagall and Snape as they throw spells each others' way. The torches are lowered as something tears through the room, breaking the windows as students scream at the noise and broken glass raining down on them. Xander remains alert, his hand squeezing Diana's for reassurance.

When McGonagall raises the torches and the room is brought to light once more, Snape and the Carrows are gone.

"Coward! Coward! And he didn't even stay to fight!" McGonagall calls out after him in a fierce voice. She quiets down, turning to Harry, "Mr. Potter, do you mind telling me what you're doing here, which I trust you realize, is an act of complete and utter lunacy?"

Harry simply shrugs, "I'm a Gryffindor."

"I thought it might have something to do with that," she hums before addressing the students, "All right, settle down! Settle down! It appears that your Headmaster has, to use a common phrase, done a bunk."

Just then, Harry winces, grabbing at his forehead. The torches in the hall extinguish once more, a chill breeze consuming the room. There's a distant scream, and then another. Beside him, Diana winces in pain as well, letting go of him to clutch her ears. Soon enough, he figures out the reason why.

A voice echoes in his ears, "I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think this is wise. But this is folly. I wish you no harm. I have great respect for the students of Hogwarts. I was once one myself after all. I ask for but one thing and if granted no magical blood shall be spilt... 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."

The voice leaves and the Great Hall is silent. The first to speak is Pansy Parkinson, shouting, "What are we waiting for? Grab him!"

Ginny Weasley steps in front of Harry and soon enough other students flock around him, wands out. No one is getting near Harry.

The moment is interrupted by Filch bursting into the hall, "Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!"

"They're supposed to be out of bed you blithering idiot!" McGonagal shouts. Filch begins to turn away, but she exclaims, "Wait! As it turns out, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I'd like you to lead Ms. Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin house out of the hall."

He nods, "Right then. Er, where exactly is it you want me to lead them?"

"The dungeons should do."

The hall cheers as the Slytherin students are lead out of the hall, but as Xander looks at Diana with a frightened expression, they communicate what they are both thinking. This is nowhere near over.