A Chance to Leave the Battlefield, Battles Across Hogwarts

"This is really good news. We still have a few minutes, right?" Aaron said dismissively.

Abufus's eye twitched. "You're really funny."

"Thanks for the compliment. I've done everything I could. How many people die next has nothing to do with me."

"Fewer people could die," Harry said anxiously. He then looked at Moody, Frank, and Alice in the Great Hall. "As long as you send the three of them out."

"I suggested it, Harry." Moody shook his head helplessly. "But he didn't agree."

"I mentioned it to him too," Frank said awkwardly. "He wouldn't agree to let us help Neville."

"Why?" Harry asked, confused. "You kept me here as a precaution. Before killing Voldemort, I can't lose to anyone, so I can retain my status as the Elder Wand's master.

"But what about them? They have nothing to do with Voldemort. Surely they can go out and help!"

"Keeping you here is a precaution. Keeping them here is to keep them alive," Aaron explained patiently. "Wizards have limited magic. I need them to conserve their strength for the hard battle ahead.

"How many troops do you think Voldemort will use against me? At least several hundred. I need their cover, even if it amounts to very little."

"That's right. Very little." Moody curled his lip. "I don't think we could beat hundreds or thousands of Death Eaters either."

"I said I wouldn't use you as cannon fodder. Your role in this war is to ease my pressure or help me kill a few more people.

"The point is to help me, not anyone else," Aaron said seriously. "I saved your lives for this very day."

"How candid." Abufus smiled. "But do you think the four of us together can hold back Voldemort's army? He won't give us a chance to