seventy-nine

                                    

                                          
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟヾ◌
≈ https:// hiswife. com
‹ MiraaChe ‹ has posted a new chapter!- ͙۪۪̥˚
┊❛ welcome to chapter seventy-nine❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟヾ◌
Harry scanned the crowded Room of Requirement, unease prickling at the back of his neck. "How would they even know we're here now?" he muttered, glancing toward the spot where Cho usually stood, only to find it empty. A sudden, thunderous BOOM echoed through the chamber, shaking the walls. Dust cascaded from the ceiling as cracks splintered along the stone.
Students exchanged panicked glances. Another resounding THUD shook the ground, and the shields around the room flickered and sputtered. Before Harry could fully grasp what was happening, a thin beam of light burst through the wall. He instinctively threw himself in front of Nigel, shielding him from flying debris.
Peering cautiously through the chink, Harry's heart sank. Filch was outside, wielding a sledgehammer with grim determination, while Umbridge watched, a triumphant gleam in her eyes.
"Step aside, Argus," Umbridge ordered with a cold smile. "I'll handle this." With a flick of her wand, she aimed directly at the wall.
"GET DOWN!" Harry yelled, just as Umbridge bellowed, "BOMBARDA MAXIMA!"
The explosion rocked the room, sending students scrambling for cover. Harry coughed through the dust, forcing himself to his feet. A massive hole had been blasted in the wall, its jagged edges still glowing with residual magic. Shadows loomed through the dust as the Inquisitorial Squad poured into the room.
"RUN!" Harry shouted. "Everyone, get out!"
"GET THEM!" Umbridge's shrill voice cut through the chaos.
As students fled, they were met by the Inquisitorial Squad waiting in the corridor. Draco stepped forward, his face lit by the eerie glow of spellfire. He quickly locked eyes with Harry, and for a split second, his expression was... conflicted.
"Well, Potter," Draco drawled, his tone dripping with the usual contempt, "are you going to stand there like a fool, or finally do something smart and get out of here?"
Harry's brow furrowed. "What are you getting at, Malfoy?"
"Not everyone needs to be a hero," Draco muttered, glancing over his shoulder to where Umbridge was closing in. His voice was low, barely audible over the chaos. "If you've got any sense, you'll leave while you still have the chance."
Harry's eyes widened. Was Draco... trying to warn him? The realization dawned, but Harry wasn't one to back down. "If you think I'm running away while my friends get caught, you don't know me at all."
Draco's jaw clenched, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Fine, Potter, have it your way," he hissed. "But don't say I didn't try." With a flick of his wand, he sent a weak Stunning Spell toward Harry—deliberately wide.
Taking the hint, Harry ducked and used the distraction to signal to the others. "Go, now! Through the back exit!"
In the confusion, Draco turned, pretending to focus on corralling the other DA members, his eyes flickering briefly toward Harry. "Move it, Potter, before she sees you!" he muttered under his breath, his voice urgent now.
Harry hesitated, then nodded once, a silent acknowledgment. "Come on!" he shouted to his friends. With Draco's subtle interference, Harry managed to guide the remaining DA members through a hidden side passage. 
But just as Harry reached the hidden exit, he looked back to see some of his friends—Neville, Luna, and Ginny—struggling to break free from the clutches of the Inquisitorial Squad. Harry's resolve wavered. He turned back, charging toward them to help, despite the narrow escape route behind him.
"Harry, no!" Hermione shouted, realizing what he was about to do.
Ignoring her, Harry aimed a Stunning Spell at the Inquisitorial Squad members, who were restraining his friends. He managed to free Neville, but before he could reach Luna and Ginny, a familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Expelliarmus!"
Harry's wand flew from his hand. He spun around to find Draco, his expression conflicted. "I warned you, Potter," Draco muttered, loud enough for Umbridge to hear. "Should've just left."
In that moment of hesitation, the Squad closed in, surrounding Harry and his friends. Harry tried to fight back barehanded, but it was too late. The combined force of Umbridge and her squad overpowered him.
As Harry was dragged away, he shot a look at Draco, who avoided his gaze. For a moment, Harry wondered if Draco's warning had been genuine. But now, it was too late to change anything.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟヾ◌
Umbridge waved the damning piece of parchment in the air, practically vibrating with glee. "Dumbledore's Army—proof of your treachery, Headmaster!" she crowed, thrusting it toward Fudge.
Dumbledore remained calm, his serene expression never faltering. "Naturally," he said smoothly, as if discussing the weather.
Harry stepped forward, voice trembling with desperation. "No, Professor, don't!" he pleaded, turning to face Umbridge. "This was my idea! He knew nothing about it!"
But Dumbledore gently overrode him, his voice calm yet firm. "Your loyalty is admirable, Harry, but as the parchment shows, this organization was named 'Dumbledore's Army'—not 'Potter's.'" He turned back to Fudge. "I instructed Harry to form it, and I take full responsibility."
Fudge's eyes narrowed, but he was clearly thrown off by Dumbledore's unflappable demeanor. "Dawlish, Shacklebolt—take him into custody. And send an owl to the Daily Prophet; this will make tomorrow's headline."
Dumbledore, however, remained unfazed. "Ah, yes, I believe we've reached the point where you expect me to surrender quietly," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I'm afraid I have no intention of going to Azkaban."
"Enough!" Umbridge shrieked. "Take him—now!"
A flurry of wand movement ensued, but before anyone could react, Fawkes swooped down in a burst of silver light. Dumbledore, with a swift, fluid movement, grabbed hold of the phoenix's tail. In a blaze of fire, they both vanished, leaving Fudge, Umbridge, and the others sprawled on the ground.
Kingsley Shacklebolt couldn't suppress a smile. "You may not like him, Minister," he said quietly, "but you have to admit... Dumbledore's got style."
Harry stood there, still in shock, but he couldn't help but glance back at Draco, who remained in the shadows. For a moment, their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.