She kept her head low as she followed Finn out of the Room of Requirement with Lorelai at her side, quickly making their way to the stream of Slytherin students that were marching, their faces blank, almost as if they were used to such training.

They slipped into the group undetected, walking alongside the rest of the students in rigid synchronisation, their backs straight and posture firm, in perfect rhythm.

Gene looked up briefly, only to find Blaise staring at her in disbelief. She gave a half-smile and winked before bowing her head again, finally entering the Great Hall where each House stood.

It was as silent as a grave, though the room buzzed with anticipation and dread as Gene caught a glimpse of the Carrow's stood at the very from of the Hall, while Snape stood before the students, his eyes raking the crowd sinisterly.

"Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you here at this hour." he began in his familiar monotone drawl, "It has come to my attention that earlier this evening, Genevieve Fiordalis and Harry Potter were sighted in Hogsmeade."

Immediately, a murmured thrill filled the Great Hall, students glancing at one another, whispering in hushed voices, glancing at one another. She noticed how Maisy Reynolds and Jamie Ranthorpe trembled in the row in front of her, and she hoped they calmed down, in fear of inviting unwanted attention their way.

"I mention this in the hopes that truth will not be supplanted by rumour." Snape's voice rose by a few decibels to quell the whispers amongst the Hall. "For myself and a few select members of the staff this comes as little surprise. We have, for some time, considered Mr. Potter and Miss. Fiordalis' return to Hogwarts to be not only 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 and Miss. Fiordalis might make to breach these walls. But know this. Should anyone– student or staff– attempt to aid Mr. Potter and Miss. Fiordalis, that person will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Rest assured: So long as I am Headmaster at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and Genevieve Fiordalis will never again step foot in this castle."

A long silence followed Snape's speech, with not even the Slytherin's bursting into applause at his words. Neville was right about one thing. Hogwarts had changed, indeed. Snape glanced around the room with contempt, seemingly disappointed that his words hadn't been celebrated, as the students glanced at one another nervously.

"If anyone here has any knowledge of Mr. Potter or Miss. Fiordalis' movements this evening, I invite them to step forward... now."

Snape's eyes travelled the entirety of the Hall, met with a dead silence and Gene could have sworn she saw his lip curl in anger. But it was her cue, and so, she squeezed Lorelai's hand once before pushing past her row, stepping out into the centre of the room, where Harry had joined her.

The crowds of students gasped, backing away and pressing their backs to the walls as Harry walked up to join Gene at the very front, where Snape began to back away.

"Hello, Headmaster." Gene said, undoing her robe and letting it fall to the floor. Snape stared at her, his gaze shifting between herself and Harry.

"It would seem that, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you have a bit of a security problem." Harry mused, while Snape stared in stunned disbelief, his head lifting as the doors of the Great Hall burst open.

Gene glanced over her shoulder, her smile growing as she watched the Order charge through the doors.

"And I'm afraid it's rather extensive." Gene winced before drawing her wand, pointing it firmly at Snape.

She watched as the Carrows began to move toward the two, before faltering, turning to Snape with uncertainty, as though they were unsure of what steps to take next.

"How dare you stand where he stood!" Harry yelled, his eyes narrowing at Snape maliciously, as he drew his own wand, "Tell them how it was that night. Tell then how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you and killed him. Tell them!"

Gene felt sick as Snape's eyes found hers, then Harry's, though his face remained a mask. She watched as his hand moved for his wand, only for McGonagall to push Gene and Harry behind her, sending a volcanic blast his way.

He pivoted, shielding himself from the spell, though it seemed to be a lucky escape, as the blast ricocheted around the room, causing the students to all scream in terror.

Spell after spell, McGonagall and Snape went head to head, parrying each with astonishing skill that Gene never could have imagined wielding herself. McGonagall sent a final spell Snape's way, which he skilfully deflected onto Alecto and Amycus Carrow, rendering them unconscious.

Snape took measure of the room, his eyes lingering on both Gene and Harry before he swept his wand overhead, reducing the torches into nothing but smoke, and the Great Hall fell into total darkness.

Students began to scream, and Gene squinted to watch as Snape transformed into an inky black cloud of smoke, suddenly blasting through the windows, spraying glass overhead.

"Coward!" McGonagall yelled at his disappearing shadow.

She then turned in her place, her wand raised aloft before the torches burst back to life and the room was filled with a roar of cheers and applause. They peered bitterly into the darkness, Gene wincing at the rush of cool air that snuck past, biting at her skin when she suddenly was enveloped in a warm hug.

She had expected Lorelai to be behind it, or maybe even Ron or Aurelia, but when the figure pulled away, Gene felt a great affection for Professor McGonagall, who smiled down at her warmly.

But Gene's joy hadn't lasted long. She had been slacking, forgetting the lessons of Occulemency that Snape had taught her, unable to close her mind from Voldemort any longer. She grasped onto Harry as a searing pain struck her scar, scorching her as her other trembling hand lifted to clutch her neck in pain.

A numbing breeze consumed the room, as the flames along the walls trembled, the Hall dimming and growing gravely silent, until a shrill scream broke it.

Gene rushed forward, ignoring the agonising pain in her scar as she pushed past the throng of students, finding Maisy Reynolds cowering on the floor in the corner. Her hands were pressed firmly over her ears, eyes squeezed shut as she began to shake her head, as if she was refusing someone.

Another wave of pain struck Gene in her neck, her fingers pinching at her skin as another scream sounded somewhere in the Hall. She turned in her place wildly, watching as the crowd of faces contorted into pain and horror.

And then, they heard his voice.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think this wise. But this is folly."

Voldemort whispered, and the room burst into cries of anguish, because until now, he had never truly shown himself to the world past Gene and Harry. He was a coward.

"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."

The room stood very still, a heavy silence hanging over them all as they took in his words.

"Give me Genevieve Fiordalis and Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Genevieve Fiordalis and Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Genevieve Fiordalis and Harry Potter and you will be rewarded."

The whispers began to die down and the Hall began to return to normal, the here and the now. Every eye in the room turned to find Harry and Gene.

"They're right there!" a voice called out, breaking the silence once more, "Someone grab them! They're there!" it was a voice from the group of Slytherin's pointing wildly at them, though they were met with stares from the rest of their house.

But two red-headed figures stood before both Gene and Harry, Ron and Ginny, respectively, almost as if to protect them, drawing their wands. Lorelai and Finn followed, along with Hermione, and then the rest of the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.

Finally, members of the house of Slytherin began to move, leaving Richard Bates standing very alone as every student made an effort to shield Gene and Harry from harms way, and she truly couldn't hide her smile as she felt an overwhelming sense of house pride.

"Students out of bed! Students in the corridors!"

Filch burst into the Great Hall, waving his lamp as he ran towards McGonagall, Mrs. Norris weaving through the crowd and they all turned to face him in confusion.

"They're supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!" McGonagall snapped at him.

"Oh. Sorry, ma'am." he mumbled, beginning to turn away.

"As it turns out, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune." McGonagall suddenly stopped him, "If you would, I'd like you to lead Mr. Bates and the rest of Slytherin House from the Hall."

But as Filch went to answer, Gene had quickly cut him off, turning to McGonagall with a stern expression, one that seemed to have caught the Professor off-guard.

"I can't let you do that, Professor." she said, glancing at Lorelai and Finn at her side, and finally smiling at Maisy Reynolds, "We're not all bad. I mean, I turned out alright, didn't I?" she raised an eyebrow, her smile remaining.

Then, McGonagall smiled just the same, giving a small nod of understanding. She rose up to full height, her jaw firm as she glanced between Gene and Harry now.

"I presume you have a reason for returning. What is it you need?" she asked them.

"Time. As much as you can give us." Harry answered.

"Do what you have to do. I'll secure the castle." McGonagall nodded, looking to several teaches that lined the Hall and giving them curt nods, which they seemed to be able to decipher.

"Is that possible, Professor?" Harry asked.
McGonagall looked amused, "We teachers are rather good at magic, Potter. We've even been known to turn out a worthwhile witch or wizard on occasion." at which, Gene grinned, "I think it's time I ask a few of them to take their magic beyond the classroom. What do you think?" she asked them.

Gene followed McGonagall's gaze, her heart palpitating as she watched members of the DA conferring with the Order, spotting Aurelia amongst the crowd and she mustered a small smile.

"I think you're right." Gene agreed.

McGonagall nodded, still sizing up the students and the Order. Gene and Harry went to turn away, though McGonagall's voice stopped them once more.

"By the way," she began, and they looked at her over their shoulders, "It's good to see you both." she nodded.

Harry smiled at Gene, then at McGonagall, "You too, Professor."

They walked toward the rest of the Order and the members of the DA, with Gene unable to hold back her smile as Aurelia met her halfway in a hug. Gene's eyes fluttered shut, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders before Aurelia pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Next, came Lupin, who grinned widely at the sight of Gene, ever so close to lifting her from the ground due to the force of which he brought her into a hug. He left a kiss to the crown of her head as usual, and she welcomed it.

Finally, came the twins, though it was Fred who lifted her off the ground first, squeezing her around the middle so tightly, she couldn't breathe. George followed after, much gentler with her, because as Mrs. Weasley was always there to remind them:

"She's only little," she tutted, shaking her head, though her smile never faltered.

"Our wish came true." George said, letting Gene back down onto the ground.

She stared at them in bewilderment, "What?"

"Genie." Fred said with a smile, "You're our Genie."

At this, Gene's eyes squeezed shut as she laughed, shaking her head at their terrible attempt at a pun, when the realisation that this joy wouldn't last very long plummeted, and her smile almost fell.

Quickly, she pressed a kiss to both of their cheeks before rushing out of the Great Hall with Harry, Ron and Hermione trailing close behind. She took this opportunity to speak to Harry alone, brushing past the controlled chaos of students that descended the stairs, while they climbed up them.

"I could give myself up now," she whispered, bringing Harry to a complete stop in the middle of the stone staircase. "That's one Horccrux gone for certain."

"No." Harry said curtly, and he continued up the steps. Gene watched his back, utterly astonished before grasping at his sleeve.

"Harry–" she said, her tone warning.

"I'm not ready, okay?" he said in a hushed voice, glancing past her head as Ron and Hermione approached, "Not yet. Please." he said.

Gene could only nod, squeezing his hand once before letting go.

"We'll find Luna." she said, "She'll know how to help. I'm sure of it." and Harry nodded as Ron and Hermione caught up.

"I was thinking, it doesn't really matter if we find the Horcrux," Ron began, earning him a look of confusion, "Not unless we can destroy it. You destroyed Tom Riddle's diary with a Basilisk fang, right?" he looked to Gene and she nodded hastily, "Well, we know where we might find one, don't we?"

Gene looked at Harry, who seemed to be convinced enough, as they pondered this briefly, before nodding.

"Okay. But take this." Harry pulled the Marauder's Map from his back pocket and handed it to Ron, "That way you can find us when you get back."

Gene glanced at Hermione and avoided Ron's stare as she went to rush past them, only for Ron to grab her hand before she could go any further.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'll find you." she told him in a rush, "Go."

Gene pulled her hand from Ron's, without looking back over her shoulder, doing her best to blink back the tears that filled her eyes.

__________________________________

i dont like doing too many notes like these bc i feel like it might ruin the reading and u guys dont want to hear from me BUT i just wanted to say i hope everyones enjoying so far and thank u so so so much for all the votes and comments they mean the WORLD to me <3

in case u couldnt tell already we're coming close to the end :O id love to hear feedback and anything else u guys have to say and as always i love u ALLLLLL

xxxx