Fawkes circled above the tallest building at Hogwarts, his cries echoing and swirling through the night sky.
Snape stood at the gap in the Astronomy Tower, looking down from above, his gaze cold. He seized Malfoy beside him, turned into a black cloud, and landed on the ground, leaving them with an icy remark-
"It's all over. Time to go."
The Death Eaters reacted swiftly, following Snape and Malfoy toward the door.
"Catch them! Don't let them get away!!!"
The members of the Order of the Phoenix were still staring blankly at the figure that had just fallen from the Astronomy Tower. Harry, however, had reached the battlefield and shouted himself hoarse.
"Impedimenta!" A flash of red light streaked past.
A Death Eater at the rear of the group ahead froze for an instant.
Immediately afterward came, "Stupefy!"
Red light struck again. The members of the Order of the Phoenix had come to their senses, and their eyes reddened as they chased the fleeing Death Eaters.
But sometimes, a moment too late was simply too late.
The Death Eaters were determined to leave. Apart from a few unlucky stragglers who were left behind, the others stepped through the Castle doors and left by Apparition.
Su Er did not pursue them. In fact, he had cast the spell that stunned one of those unlucky Death Eaters. Light after light came on in the Castle, their bright yellow glow driving away patch after patch of darkness, falling across the lawn and the drive.
That light should have been warm, yet it was extraordinarily cold.
One bewildered young wizard after another, dressed in nightclothes, emerged through the open oak doors and walked toward the lawn.
Su Er stood at the front of the crowd, looking at the figure lying quietly on the lawn,