Barnaby, accompanied by Tonks with Sanshi hidden alongside them, arrived at Hogwarts just as McGonagall and the others (the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's Army—even Percy showed up with apologies!) were setting up the defenses.
The weather was dark, and Dementors could be seen hovering from afar, watching the school's activity.
When Minerva and Barnaby locked eyes, a moment of mutual understanding passed between them, and they both turned, shouting in unison:
"Piertotum Locomotor! x2"
BAM!
The stone statues lining the walls fell, awakened from their thousand-year slumber.
BAM! BAM!
"Hogwarts is under siege," Minerva declared solemnly to the stone soldiers as they descended the staircases and took up positions. "Defend its walls and protect us. Fulfill your duty to our school!"
Minerva turned to Barnaby with a slight smirk of pride after her speech.
"I've always wanted to use that spell."
Barnaby raised an annoyed eyebrow, then smiled and struck the ground forcefully with his staff.
"Metallum Exornare Elementum!"
The staff's gemstones glowed with power, the qilin head silently roared, and an invisible shockwave rippled outwards, subtly transforming the simple stone soldiers. Their surfaces became fully metalized, and their weapons (spears, swords with shields, maces, halberds, and axes) were covered with roaring flames, chilling frost, crackling lightning, sizzling acid…
Minerva stared speechlessly at the newly enhanced soldiers.
"You have to teach me that spell!" she demanded of Barnaby.
"Of course," Barnaby agreed, returning her smugness. "Let's have a cup of tea when this is all over."
"You said it," McGonagall smiled, then helped the other professors raise the protective barrier around Hogwarts.
"Protego Maxima, Fianto Duri, Repello Inimicum…"
Barnaby watched as the shield formed around the castle and shook his head slightly. Once again, they were being too kind to the enemies, and he intended to change that.
Pointing the mouth of his staff to the sky, he invoked a spell he never thought he'd have to use, especially at Hogwarts.
"Protego Diabolica."
Blue and black flames erupted from the staff in a spectacular torrent upwards, merging with the school's shield and spreading around it like fire touching oil but without consuming it.
Whether ally or foe, everyone was momentarily stunned upon witnessing the barrier now transformed into a monumental sphere of flames.
"This is a powerful dark enchantment..." thought Flitwick.
Normally, he would never approve of using any dark magic, regardless of the situation. However, it was undeniable that this enchantment's functionality would be incredibly helpful in protecting Hogwarts and the older students who had chosen to stay and fight.
Given the current situation, drastic measures were necessary, and the caster was Barnaby, so it seemed acceptable. The more knowledgeable professors were aware of the spell's ability to distinguish friend from foe and chose to trust Hagrid's son.
Besides, though it was labeled as dark magic, it was only due to its effect. In reality, it had none of the corrupting influence of truly dark spells.
Meanwhile, as the flames drew everyone's attention…
"So, you're saying that Ravenclaw's diadem was destroyed years ago by Calcifer?" Harry repeated incredulously, staring speechlessly at Tonks.
"Yes," Tonks confirmed with a nod.
"Well, that saves us a problem," Ron sighed in relief.
Honestly, the locket they had to destroy was already a massive headache. He couldn't imagine how much trouble the diadem might have caused, so it was better off destroyed.
"Why didn't you tell us before?!" Hermione spat, furious at the revelation. "We put ourselves in danger for nothing! Voldemort is on his way here because of our presence! People are going to die!"
"Shut up!" Tonks snapped at Hermione, her hair turning fiery red. "First of all, this happened before you even started your first year at school. How were we supposed to know what you were searching for if you REFUSED to tell us anything? You've been denying our help from the beginning!" she scolded, her gaze a mix of disappointment, anger, and sorrow. "And secondly, do you think no one has died since all this started? Even my husband was ambushed once!" Tonks' hair darkened to blood-red as she spoke. "I DARE you to claim that a single one of these deaths is our fault!"
Ron was gripping Hermione's shoulder tightly, practically praying for her to keep quiet.
Forget about that dark, noseless guy—Ron would rather face five of them than a completely enraged Barnaby with who knows what creatures at his command!
Harry knew Hermione was just speaking under stress and pressure. He realized that, in part (a very small part), it was his fault for not sharing anything and keeping his mission so secretive.
But that wasn't the issue here!
What mattered was that the diadem was destroyed and the Horcrux was gone.
He needed to change the subject before Hermione said something they would all regret—anything would do!
"By any chance, do you have more of those armors?" Harry asked the first thing that came to mind, staring in awe at Tonks' incredible armor as the words just flowed out.
"Yeah, do you have one in my size?" Ron quickly chimed in.
That armor was way too cool!
And while he had no idea what the runes inscribed on it did, he was sure it was packed with magic. It looked like a really expensive piece.
"Dream on," Tonks rolled her eyes, though she was secretly proud of her husband's craftsmanship.