That very evening, sitting at the head table, dining on steak and kidney pie Gwen, along with the students and staff nearly jumped out of her seat as a loud crashing sounded from outside the doors of the main hall.
It sounded to Gwen as if someone were taking a battering ram to the front doors of the castle. She wasn�t far off on her guess. There was a huddle of death eaters outside the main doors, their wands pointed and chanting vigorously. They were bombarding the doors with every spell they knew.
Apparently, part of Dumbledore�s tighter security had been ensuring that the castle wouldn�t let in any attempting marauders. He had set a powerful spell on every door to the outside making them unbreachable to strangers. The amazing thing about the spell was that the doors recognized students, faculty and certain upstanding members of the community.
Dumbledore had to shoot off fireworks to get everyone�s attention, as he had years before when a troll had been spotted in the dungeons. When he finally received a quiet audience he announced: �The prefects will lead everyone back to their house dormitory. I ask that all students remain there until further notice.� The students shuffled off as the teachers rushed past them into the main hall.
The doors had not been breached, nor would they be, but the problem needed to be addressed. Once again, someone was trying to compromise castle security and Hogwarts felt less safe than ever. All of the students had passed through the main hall and were currently walking briskly to their dorms.
The pounding on the door continued.
�What are we going to do?� Gwen asked, more than ready to take on the dark wizards outside.
Dumbledore sighed. �They cannot be allowed inside the school.�
�Shall we send out a diplomat?� Snape asked snidely, scratching at the mark on his arm.
�I will happily take part in that envoy.� Gwen offered. She felt a hand on her elbow and knowing that it was Graves in his invisibility cloak she did not turn to look, fearing she might raise some of the staff�s curiosity.
�I wouldn�t like wand to wand combat on the front lawns of Hogwarts.� Dumbledore said plainly.
�Nor I.� Minerva added.
�There�s nothing for it.� Anthony said. �They won�t leave until they get a fight and if a fight�s what they want that�s what they�ll get.� He added, brandishing his wand.
�How many are there?� Tiny Professor Flitwick asked meekly.
Snape peered out of the window nearby. �Ten. That isn�t their full force. There may be more waiting to ambush.�
�I think we can take them.� Gwen said, that fire beginning to lick at her brain stem once more. She could easily have taken them all on her own.
Dumbledore gazed at her mildly. �Is that your professional opinion Miss LeFey?�
�Absolutely not sir.� She said with a spritely smile. �That�s entirely personal.�
The pounding was growing steadily in volume. �Even with the enchantment Albus those doors can�t take much more.� Minerva said nervously.
�Then we have only one option. We must meet them head on.�