We weren't born to follow....come on and get up off your knees...hold on to what you believe-- December 15 1998

Thank merlin that help had arrived.  I was a little disappointed that there were only two of them, but that was still better than nothing.  I gripped my wand tightly and when curses started to fly, I took all the knowledge I had and let it out at the Death Eaters while we tried to advance to the castle.  I got thrown through the air and when I stood back up, I felt blood trickling down my cheek.  I would not be going down that easily.

I had tried to help Ron with at least a soft landing. I put the three of them behind me as I stood facing Bellatrix and rodolphus. With Regulus at my right now, " Go now.." I told the three kids behind me, " We'll hold them off.." I said as a few more spells came flying at us. I should've figured there would be more death eaters. " We'll send for more help now go!" I said, "Protego!" I shouted as the spell went up and pushed us back.

I sent my patronus man separate ways, signaling the Order that it was time to step up.  I knew that Remus had some members in the castle with him and that a lot of the original Order was just waiting for word.  We knew something was going to be brewing here, so we were all pretty much on standby for quite some time.  I heard the kids run towards the castle and I shot curses towards Bella.  We were in quite a tight duel.  Every time that I would evade to help Aimee with the other Death Eaters, Bellatrix had different plans.  "Aren't we tiring of old games, Bella?" I called out to her, seeing sweat on her brow mixed with some blood.  I could not help but smirk when I saw that I was giving her a run for her money.

We had been on edge for a little while now. Being told of what was going on and with Harry gone to destroy the horcruxes. It broke my heart, we waited for any sort of clue or need to be sent to us. We had gotten Regulus' patronus. " James!, We're needed!" I shouted for him to hear. I was ready for anything being told Harry and his friends need our help to get to the castle. " Harry needs us!"

Harry had informed me of everything he was up to. I felt like I could have helped him a lot, but he had to do this on his own. I heard Lily's call and I grabbed my wand. "The castle?" I asked, assuming that would be where Harry would go. It had been the only home he had known for years... he would want to defend it in any way possible due to the fact that it was the only home that Voldemort had ever known as well.

I could not help but laugh.  He had grown a backbone throughout the years.  I was quite pleased with the way that I was not letting them pass at all.  I knew that they had ended up sending for help, but there were plenty of others hanging around to help take care of everyone.  I knew the Dark Lord would need me to come by his side at one point, but right now I was having too much fun with my dear cousin and his wife.  "Oh... I could never get tired of games, Reggie!  You should know this by now!" I said, cackling and throwing a curse towards his wife.

I was with Remus when we got word from my brother, I knew that they would need help getting the kids here. I was going to give it, " When Em comes you know where I am...." I told him as I ran out of the castle knowing he had to stay here. I was going to help clear the way. I have an inkling of who Regulus and Aimee are holding off and I needed to help make sure they stayed away from the castle.

"Go," I said, nodding.  I went about to get the rest of the professors ready to take action.  We needed to get the youngest students home -- I could not send them all away when we had no idea when this would happen.  I told the instructors what to do and told them that students of age had the option to stay.  I would give them all a chance, not that I wanted any of them to stay... but I knew what I had been like when I was that age.  And I also knew that Dean, Will, and the rest of them were quite stubborn.  I would prefer my children not to be there, but there was no way I could tell them not to stand and fight when we were putting our lives on the line and they were both of age now.  I had only been Headmaster for a year... thank merlin for Professor McGonagall, she has helped me so much.  We were going to help Harry as much as possible; there was no way he was going to be doing thsi alone -- though he always thought he had to.

We had tried to run towards the castle as Aimee was trying to usher us as she got hit by rodolphus. I sent stupefy back not sure if it hit him or not I just knew I could take the attention off Aimee until she stood back up. Thankfully I heard more voices as spells flew towards the death eaters that kept appearing. I noticed, the Potters showed up. Thank Merlin more help. I had Harry's hand in my right and Ron's on my left. Spells were now flying in many different directions. " Rictusempra!" I shouted and pointed my wand at McNair. Who waved it off as it went around him. I wasn't paying attention, I had let go of Harry's hand for a brief moment as I was sent backward, I let go of Ron's hand as I didn't know if he would fall with me. I slammed into the wall of an abandoned Zonko's. I wiped the blood off of my arm. " Let's go!" I shouted as I scooped myself up.

"Hermione!" I shouted, stopping the second that her hand left mine.  I knew I should continue to help Harry get up to the castle, but I had to make sure that Hermione was okay.  I took hold of her hand when she shouted that we needed to go again.  I looked back when part of the building pretty much exploded above my head.  I shot a jinx behind me towards the Death Eater, rather than protecting myself from the falling brick.  Ic ould heal from that; not so much if a Deaht Eater tried to kill me.

I saw the three kids and death eaters were sending spells at Aimee as she stood between them. I rushed over to try to help her some. " Hiya Aims!" I said as I quickly sent stupefy the other directions as a spell was sent towards us that ended up hitting the building beside us. We ducked as debris was flying every direction. The kids needed to get out of here. " Hurry!" I shouted. Not happy about Harry and his friends doing this. I would however not stop fighting if it's the last thing I do.

I had agreed that I would help with preparing the castle and getting kids out.  I wanted to be in Hogsmeade to help my nephew and his friends -- along with my family -- but the teachers here needed as much help as they could get.  Besides, my kids were here and would be fighting, to.  I was not about to let them get hurt.  I found Remus.  "Any word from the village?" I asked, thinking that they may end up needing more reinforcement than any of us thought.

I popped down to the village to help the kids along with the Blacks.  It still was odd knowing that Regulus was Reese Williams.  It just seemed to be a foreign concept to me.  I shot a curse at Darwin who was right behind Harry.  "Get moving, kids!" I shouted, turning so my back was facing Harry, Hermione, and Ron.  I was so proud of them for doing all of this.  Now it was my turn to keep them safe.  I faced the next Death Eater and my blood ran cold.  "You," I said with utter disbelief in my voice mixed with pure hatred.  He was dead, was he not?  And he was now going after my son?  That was not going to happen.

I had found myself just entering the village as I heard explosions and screaming. I picked up the pace as I knew who was there. I ran past Harry, Ron and Hermione. " Go we got this covered...tell your Aunt we'll be there in no time." I said quickly as I ducked with the kids as spells came towards us. Apparently I am a high commodity to death eaters. Doesn't really surprise me to be honest with you. I ran over to the familiar messy black hair. " Right behind you!" I shouted as I forced James to duck and covered us up as the debris landed. Looking up as I heard his mutter, " No way.." I said quietly.

I smiled evilly, embracing my second nature.  "Hello Prongs... I see I have escaped death yet again... looks like Padfoot isn't as good at killing people as everyone thinks he is," I said, starting to shoot curses at James.  He had never appreciated what I had done for him.  He never accepted the offers I gave to him... he still hated me.  He had treated me just the same as he had in school.  And now he was going to pay.  I had waited for this for an entire year, hoping to be able to get the chance to go after James... and now here he was.