The Hall was dim and Draco ran at Hermione’s side, eyes sharp on the shadowy corners, the table set for breakfast the next day, the sounds of their footsteps echoing in the cavernous room. And they were through the Hall, and nearly at Hogwarts’ great doors, and hope made Draco run faster, toward freedom, escape. And then the doors of Hogwarts’ swung open, and shapes filled the doorway, and a hail of curses filled the air. Draco and the team skidded to a halt and protegos were wordlessly cast, batting the curses away. The Death Eaters and their student admirers – Draco spotted two Slytherins, two Ravenclaws and a Hufflepuff before the group broke rank and he lost count – charged forward, wands swooping and slashing through the air.