When the statues and suits of armour awoke to defend their school…
“Hogwarts is threatened!’ shouted Professor McGonagall. ‘Man the boundaries, protect us, do your duty to our school!’ Clattering and yelling, the horde of moving statues stampeded past Harry: some of them smaller, others larger than life.’
When the forces for good throughout Harry’s life joined the fight together…
‘There was a great roar and a surge towards the foot of the stairs; he was pressed back against the wall as they ran past him, the mingled members of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore’s Army and Harry’s old Quidditch team, all with their wands drawn, heading up into the main castle.’
When Percy saw sense and the Weasleys showed us the beauty of forgiveness…
"I was a fool!’ Percy roared, so loudly that Lupin nearly dropped his photograph. ‘I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a – a –’
‘Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron,’ said Fred. Percy swallowed. ‘Yes, I was!’
‘Well, you can’t say fairer than that,’ said Fred, holding out his hand to Percy.
Mrs Weasley burst into tears. She ran forwards, pushed Fred aside and pulled Percy into a strangling hug, while he patted her on the back, his eyes on his father.
‘I’m sorry, Dad,’ Percy said. Mr Weasley blinked rather rapidly, then he, too, hurried to hug his son.'
When Harry was shielded, not by magic, but by three whole Hogwarts houses…
‘But he’s there! Potter’s there! Someone grab him!’
Before Harry could speak, there was a massive movement. The Gryffindors in front of him had risen and stood facing, not Harry, but the Slytherins. Then the Hufflepuffs stood, and, almost at the same moment, the Ravenclaws, all of them with their backs to Harry, all of them looking towards Pansy instead, and Harry, awe- struck and overwhelmed, saw wands emerging everywhere, pulled from beneath cloaks and from under sleeves.’
When Harry went back for Malfoy and Goyle in the Room of Requirement…
"IF WE DIE FOR THEM, I’LL KILL YOU, HARRY!’ roared Ron’s voice, and as a great, flaming Chimaera bore down upon them he and Hermione dragged Goyle on to their broom and rose, rolling and pitching, into the air once more as Malfoy clambered up behind Harry.'
When Percy Weasley resigned from the Ministry in the most perfect way…
"Hello, Minister!’ bellowed Percy, sending a neat jinx straight at Thicknesse, who dropped his wand and clawed at the front of his robes, apparently in awful discomfort. ‘Did I mention I’m resigning?’
‘You’re joking, Perce!’ shouted Fred, as the Death Eater he was battling collapsed under the weight of three separate Stunning Spells. Thicknesse had fallen to the ground with tiny spikes erupting all over him; he seemed to be turning into some form of sea urchin. Fred looked at Percy with glee.'
When love (finally) prevailed in the midst of the battle – with a little help from house-elves…
"No,’ said Ron seriously, ‘I mean we should tell them to get out. We don’t want any more Dobbys, do we? We can’t order them to die for us –’
There was a clatter as the Basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione’s arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.'
When Harry’s DA students saved his life with a spell he’d taught them …
‘And then a silver hare, a boar and a fox soared past Harry, Ron and Hermione’s heads: the Dementors fell back before the creatures’ approach. Three more people had arrived out of the darkness to stand beside them, their wands outstretched, continuing to cast their Patronuses: Luna, Ernie and Seamus.
‘That’s right,’ said Luna encouragingly, as if they were back in he Room of Requirement and this was simply spell practice for the DA. ‘That’s right, Harry ... come on, think of something happy ...’
‘Something happy?’ he said, his voice cracked.
‘We’re all still here,’ she whispered, ‘we’re still fighting. Come on, now ...’
When Molly Weasley took on Bellatrix Lestrange to protect her family…
"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!’
Mrs Weasley threw off her cloak as she ran, freeing her arms. Bellatrix spun on the spot, roaring with laughter at the sight of her new challenger.
‘OUT OF MY WAY!’ shouted Mrs Weasley to the three girls, and with a swipe of her wand she began to duel. Harry watched with terror and elation as Molly Weasley’s wand slashed and twirled, and Bellatrix Lestrange’s smile faltered, and became a snarl.’
When Harry learned the truth about Severus Snape and love changed everything…
‘But this is touching, Severus,’ said Dumbledore seriously. ‘Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?’
‘For him?’ shouted Snape. ‘Expecto patronum!’
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: she landed on the office floor, bounded once acrossthe office and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
‘After all this time?’
‘Always,’ said Snape.'
