Gwen looked sideways at Harry. The long tables had been vacated by students and refilled with all sorts of Order wizards and witches. Many of them were here as prison guards, armed with wands that they used as stun guns. Others were here as support in case of another of the now frequent attacks.
Harry returned Gwen�s imperious glance. A question passed between them and Gwen�s mouth couldn�t work out the answer just yet. They had both felt it, like the cold hand of death slapping them. Voldemort was near and feeling deadly.
They stood abruptly, and didn�t bother to hide their hasty retreat into the entrance hall. They rushed up the stairs with no need for words. Dumbledore needed to know immediately that his psychic beacons were on high alert.
Even knowing that he was near they were surprised to find that the view of the front lawn was obscured by hundreds of squat black tents. It had stopped them dead in their tracks at the top of the first landing on the staircase. It seemed that the dark forces had mobilized and were taking Dumbledore�s forced hand seriously. They would fight and they would fight at Hogwarts.
The view was terrible and awe inspiring all in the same breath.
Gwen�s heart did a little jump as she spotted a bright blond helmet of hair standing amongst a group of chatting wizards. He was the only one who was unmasked and Gwen recognized that proud profile. Her hopes that Draco would change had obviously not panned out.
She shook her head and continued up the stairs. If she could ever help that boy get his head turned around now was not the time. Dumbledore needed to know that Voldemort was near and the sudden appearance of all of those tents could not go unnoticed either.
They continued their way up the stairs after a moment of awestruck silence. Their journey was slower now, hindered by a dragging sensation they couldn�t fend off. Their feet lugged and each step became an inward battle to continue. The chore of getting to Dumbledore�s office had suddenly become near impossible.
When finally they arrived at the foot of the stairs they looked at each other like people who had crossed the sea in a dinghy. �I don�t remember the stairs ever being that trying.� Harry said breathlessly.
�Me either. Something is definitely out of place.�
When they entered the office they found it empty. Each of them drew a heavy breath and exchanged another silent volley of question and answer. The entire thing was being played out like an old silent movie without all of the wild gesticulation. There was an understanding that had been built over their few short years of friendship that had lain dormant for months. It was now actively allowing them communication without words.
The queer dumb show played itself out and finally Gwen understood. The castle�s enchantments and protections had been slowly whittled down over the last few months by those hardened individuals in residence of the Chamber of Secrets. The reinforcements had arrived and it wouldn�t be much longer before chaos reigned. The old magic was being replaced with new magic for a dark purpose. The stairs had become a trap.