Summer Writing Series Challenge (July 19)
Challenge: Musical Week: Theme- Action/Mystery/Suspense/Horror Scene
Challenge Conditions: Using the daily theme, choose a scene or song from any musical you like (stage
or screen) and rework it using our favorite characters.
Title: Courage
Word Count: 1,000
The loud rumbles of thunder did nothing to lighten the gloomy atmosphere of the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft of Wizardry. The war was hitting closer and closer to home. Already, hundreds of muggleborn witches and wizards and Order members have fallen at the hand of Voldemort and his supporters, the Death Eaters. Everyday, more news of death and destruction reached the walls of the castle. It is safe to say that the purple envelope sealed with the Ministry of Magic crest that arrived in dozens each day was the nightmare of every student sitting in the dining hall at the moment. It was just as dreaded as finding the Dark Mark hanging in the sky above your home, for it bore news of the death of family members. Just when Headmaster Dumbledore stood up to announce the canceling of tomorrow's classes due to an emergency Order meeting, the doors of the Great Hall suddenly banged open and the drenched figure of Percy Weasley stood in the doorway.
"They've made it through the outer barrier!"
Screams and the scraping sound of hundreds of chairs could be heard following the disturbing news.
"SILENCE! ALL STUDENTS OF FOURTH YEAR AND BELOW, REPORT TO THE EMMERGENCY EVACUATION SITE IMMIDIATELY," Professor McGonagall's voice rang throughout the now silent dining hall.
"Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, follow me," Hermione yelled over the noise, while Harry screamed for the Ravenclaws and Slytherins. As Head Girl and Boy of Hogwarts, it was their responsibility to see to it that all students below fifth year were evacuated in the case of an emergency.
The evacuation site was the kitchen. Since both Portkey and Floo were traceable, the transportation set up for evacuation of hundreds of students was by the means of House Elves, whose traces of travel disappear completely within seconds.
"Evacuation in 10… 9… 8…," Harry's countdown echoed in the kitchen as everyone waited in silence. "3… 2… 1… NOW!"
With a deafening crack, everyone in the kitchen disappeared leaving only Harry and Hermione behind.
"Come on, Hermione. We got to get back to the Great Hall," Harry said as he took Hermione's hand, and the pair rang through the dark hallways.
When they reached the Great Hall, Dumbledore was giving his speech to the older students, as well as the Aurors and Order members that arrived.
"-time has come. You know what you're fighting for-"
"Third ward down, only two more to go!"
As Hermione looked around the hall, her eyes fell upon a figure huddled in the corner, away from everyone else. She nudged Harry lightly, who was beside her, before walking toward the figure.
"Neville?" she asked softly.
At his name, Neville looked up from the ground. His eyes were slightly red and puffy and tears trailed down his cheeks.
"Neville, what's wrong?"
"I-I'm sc-c-cared, Hermione," Neville said. "I c-can't fight. I c-can't."
"What do you mean? You've become as good as, if not better than, anyone in the DA," Hermione said. "It's what you've been working so hard for, for the past year, ever since your Gran… died."
"You said that you wanted to fight for her. To make her proud," Harry said from beside her.
"I-I know, b-but I just can't. I-I'm not brave like you, Harry."
"Neville, remember our first year?" Harry asked softly. "Who was the one that earned all those points for Gryffindor for his courage?"
Neville smiled slightly at the memory.
"And who was the one that told me that he wanted to do something real and followed me bravely to the Department of Mysteries without turning back?"
"Neville, you were put into the Gryffindor House for a reason, Hermione added encouragingly.
Before Neville could open his mouth to object, Harry said, "The Sorting Hat could not have put you in a more fitting house, for you are one of the bravest people I know."
Neville look up sharply, "Really? You m-mean that?"
"Of course."
Neville smiled his first true smile that week. "Thank you, Harry. And you, Hermione. For caring so much."
"So, Neville," said Fred Weasley, who appeared out of nowhere. "If you were King, you wouldn't be afraid of anything?"
Harry and Hermione groaned and covered their ears as Fred began to sing the song Courage from a muggle musical called the Wizard of Oz.
"Not nobody, not nohow," Neville replied as he recognized the song.
"Not even a rhinocerous?" George Weasley joined in.
"Imposserous!"
"I really wish I never gave our old TV set to Mr. Weasley," Hermione moaned. When Hermione's parents bought a new TV set, her father had suggested that she could give their old set, along with a video player and some old videos, to Mr. Weasley, who has made it very clear to them that he was interested. "I got rid of that movie for a reason."
"And how the heck does Neville know the stupid song?" Harry asked no one in particular.
"Gran was friends with a muggleborn witch who happened to own a collection of musical DVD's and he had enjoyed watching many of them during the summer." Neville grinned at the couple's annoyance.
"What makes a King out of a slave?" George sang.
"Courage!" It was muggleborn sixth year that sang this time, however. Apparently, Dumbledore's speech was over.
"What makes the flag on the mast to wave?" Fred sang louder.
"Courage!" another student joined in.
Soon, all the muggleborn students who knew the song joined in, and those who didn't know it were clapping along. Though Harry didn't want to admit it, he found the scene very amusing.
"Fourth ward down! One shield remaining," Percy warned, effectively silenced the crowd.
"Seal the doors. Aurors, Order of the Phoenix, teachers, and students, take your positions," Dumbledore calmly called out the orders.
With renewed spirit, the Warriors of the Light stood at their positions waiting for the Final Battle of the Second War to begin.
"The final ward is down!" called Percy.
"Let the Battle for Hogwarts begin!"
A/N: The song used today was was Courage from the Wizard of Oz. And also, before I forget, I'd like to thank Another, my beta, for doing such a wonderful job and for keeping up with me for the past few weeks.