The Death Eaters' offensive was ferocious. Even against a group of young students, they unleashed all manner of Dark Magic without restraint, with vicious curses emerging one after another.
The Hogwarts students had never imagined that, not even in their wildest midnight fantasies, they would one day have to raise their Wands to defend this castle.
Fear and confusion filled their minds, but their courage had never been crushed.
Before the brutally powerful Trolls, they might have been utterly helpless, but even so, they threw themselves forward, using their numbers to hold the Trolls back.
It was not only Hogwarts teachers and students who joined this battle, but also the residents of Hogsmeade.
The menacing Death Eaters had completely discarded the Ministry of Magic's façade. Their true nature was exposed as they raised their blades against innocent Wizards.
Refugees poured into Hogwarts, because they truly had nowhere else to go.
Some had merely been small candy-shop owners, while others had only been workers responsible for transporting goods. Yet now, all of them were fighting for their lives.
The gates of Hogwarts were thrown open, and a huge crowd of House-elves came howling out.
Some wore tattered pillowcases and brandished strange weapons. Most wore Phoenix Potion uniforms—and every House-elf in uniform was actually holding a Wand!
The Death Eaters' greatest advantage lay in their numbers. Even with Dumbledore working tirelessly, Voldemort had still managed to recruit many magical creatures to fight for him.
The mass of dark enemies seemed ready to overwhelm the castle in an instant. A few spells landing amid them barely caused a ripple.
But with the House-elves' arrival, a powerful force suddenly surged into the battle.
The House-elves' endless stream of bizarre magic left the Death Eaters unable to cope. A single lapse in attention could mean