The briefing had been brief but intense. Farah and Gaz confirmed that Harry Potter and his friends had returned to Hogwarts to find the final Horcrux. Captain Price didn’t mince words. “This is it, people. The final battle. We’re not just fighting to win; we’re fighting to make sure these kids have a future. No heavy weapons—too risky. But Laswell’s cutting off their reinforcements, and we’ll make sure Harry has the support he needs.”

—

The team moved silently through the darkened halls of Hogwarts, the sounds of distant battles echoing off the stone walls. Every footstep was measured, every breath controlled. They knew the stakes—this wasn’t just another mission. This was the final stand.

Price led the way, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. They needed to be in position before the real fight began. The strategic points they’d chosen would allow them to support Harry and the others while staying hidden, ready to strike when the time was right.

As they reached the high ground near the Great Hall, Price signaled the team to halt. “This is it. We set up here,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “We keep our eyes on the entrances, cover all angles. We’ll engage only when necessary—protect the students, back up Harry, and reduce friendly casualties. Understood?”

Ghost nodded, already setting up his sniper position, his scope sweeping over the battlefield. “Got it, Cap. I’ve got eyes on the main entrance. If they try to breach, they won’t make it far.”

Soap crouched beside a large pillar, his weapon at the ready. “I’ll cover the left flank. If any of those Death Eaters think they can sneak through, they’ll have a nasty surprise waiting.”

Farah and Gaz took their positions near the staircases, covering the access points to the upper levels. Farah checked her gear, her gaze steely. “We’ll hold the line here. Close combat if we have to.”

Gaz gave her a nod, his hands flexing as he prepared for the fight. “Hand-to-hand if it comes down to it. We’ve handled worse.”

Caldwell and the other tactical wizards spread out, their wands at the ready. These weren’t just any wizards—each was a skilled duelist, trained in both combat and tactical support. Caldwell gave Price a nod, his eyes sharp with determination. “We’ll handle the magical threats. Our spells can incapacitate or eliminate—whatever’s needed.”

Price took a moment to survey the scene, his mind running through every possible scenario. “Stay sharp,” he reminded them. “Once the battle starts, things will get chaotic. Stick to the plan—no unnecessary risks. We’re here to protect them, nothing more.”

As they settled into their positions, the sounds of the approaching battle grew louder. They could hear the shouts of students and teachers rallying, the distant rumble of Voldemort’s forces closing in.

—

Meanwhile, deep within the castle, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were frantically searching for the diadem of Ravenclaw. The Room of Requirement had provided them with what they needed, but time was running out. They knew that the battle raging outside could reach them at any moment.

As Harry finally laid eyes on the diadem, the sounds of footsteps echoed through the halls. Death Eaters were closing in—drawn to the magical signatures of the Horcrux.

Above, Price spotted the approaching Death Eaters through his scope. “We’ve got incoming. Engage on my mark.”

The team moved with precision. Ghost’s sniper rifle fired silently, taking out the first wave of Death Eaters before they even reached the entrance. Farah and Gaz, true to their ground-level expertise, engaged in close combat with those who managed to get too close, their movements swift and brutal. Farah disarmed a Death Eater with a quick twist, sending him sprawling to the ground before finishing him with a precise strike. Gaz blocked a curse with his forearm, then countered with a punch that sent his opponent crashing into the wall.

The tactical wizards sprang into action, their wands emitting precise, powerful spells. Caldwell cast a silent Stunning Spell that dropped a group of Death Eaters in their tracks. Another wizard conjured a shield to block a barrage of dark curses, then retaliated with a blast of magical energy that sent the enemy flying.

As the firefight raged, some of the students nearby noticed the sudden disappearance of their enemies. “Did you see that?” one whispered. “They just…fell. There was a crack, and then nothing.”

The tactical wizards, ever alert, moved quickly to clear the memories of those who got too close or saw too much. A quick flick of the wand and the students would blink, confusion clouding their faces as they tried to remember what had just happened—only to find the memory slipping away.

Meanwhile, a few of the castle’s portraits began to stir, their painted eyes widening at the sight of Muggles with guns. “What’s this?” one of them exclaimed. “Muggles, here? Armed? In Hogwarts?”

Soap, not in the mood for commentary, shot a glare at the portrait. “Yeah, and we’re busy. Shut it.”

The portrait bristled. “Well, I never—” But before it could continue, a nearby explosion sent the portrait scurrying out of its frame, the others quickly following suit as the firefight intensified.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Price coordinated the assault, his orders coming fast and clear. “Caldwell, suppress those spells! Ghost, take out the stragglers! Soap, keep that left flank secure!”

It was a brutal, efficient takedown. The Death Eaters never knew what hit them. As the last enemy fell, the team quickly vanished into the shadows, leaving no trace of their presence.

–

Inside the Room of Requirement, Harry had just grasped the diadem when he heard the distant sounds of combat. But before he could investigate, the noises stopped as abruptly as they had begun.

“Did you hear that?” Ron asked, his voice tense.

“Yeah,” Harry replied, his brow furrowed. “But it’s gone now. Let’s move—there’s no time to lose.”

They hurried out of the room, never knowing how close they had come to danger—or how close they were to the silent guardians who had just saved their lives.

—

As the team moved through the castle, they suddenly found themselves face-to-face with Luna Lovegood. Her wide, dreamy eyes met theirs, and a faint smile played on her lips.

“Oh, hello,” Luna said, her voice light and serene, as if she were greeting old friends. “You must be the Muggles helping us tonight. That’s rather wonderful, isn’t it?”

Price glanced at her, then back at the team. “Interesting one, that is,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Luna’s smile widened as she observed them. “You know, I always thought we could use a bit of Muggle ingenuity around here. Wizards are so stuck in their ways sometimes. Don’t you agree?”

Before Price could respond, Tom chimed in with a grin. “You know, Ghost, she reminds me a bit of you. Always calm in the middle of a storm, bit of a mystery, and not easily rattled.”

Ghost shot Tom a sideways glance, the corners of his mouth twitching under his mask. “Better watch it, Tom,” he muttered. “She’s got her quirks, but I’m not about to start wearing radish earrings.”

Luna tilted her head slightly, watching the exchange with her usual air of detached interest. “Well, I think it’s nice that you’re all here. Hogwarts can always use a few more protectors.”

Price nodded at her. “We’ll do our part. Stay safe, Miss.”

Tom, noticing Caldwell’s hesitation about wiping Luna’s memory, shrugged. “No one’s going to believe her anyway,” he whispered.

Luna gave them a dreamy wave as they moved past her. The team continued on, but the brief encounter left them with a small, unexpected moment of levity.

—

As the battle raged on, Price received an urgent call from Laswell. “Price, we’ve got a concentrated group of Death Eaters gathering near the Forbidden Forest, preparing to flank the castle. It’s too close to the students’ evacuation route. I’ve got a cruise missile locked on their position, but I need terminal guidance to make sure it hits the target without straying.”

Price’s eyes narrowed as he considered the risks. It was a tight window, but the Death Eaters were too close to the students. “Understood. Ghost, you’re on terminal guidance. Make it count.”

Ghost nodded, already setting up the laser designator. He aimed at the center of the Death Eater formation, his hands steady despite the chaos around him. “Designator locked. Missile inbound.”

Seconds later, the missile streaked across the sky, its trail barely visible in the darkness. Ghost kept the laser focused on the target, guiding the missile with precision. As it closed in, there was a moment of tense silence—then the missile struck, obliterating the Death Eaters in a controlled explosion that lit up the night.

The blast was powerful, but it was contained, leaving the nearby castle and students unharmed. The enemy forces were decimated, and the threat was neutralized.

“Direct hit,” Ghost confirmed, lowering the designator. “Targets eliminated. Area clear.”

“Was that really the best way to handle it?” Ghost asked, turning to Price with a raised brow.

Price smirked slightly “Every campaign has terminal guidance, Ghost. Why wouldn’t this one? The fans love it.”

Ghost stared at him, slightly bewildered. “Right… okay then.”

Price gave a brief nod of approval. “Good work. Now let’s make sure the rest of them don’t get any closer.”

The team continued their mission, knowing they had just saved countless lives with their decisive action.

—

As they made their way through a side corridor, the team encountered an older witch with sharp eyes and a commanding presence. She looked at the armed soldiers and tactical wizards with a mix of shock and incredulity.

“What in Merlin’s name…?” she began, clearly trying to process what she was seeing. “Who are you?”

Captain Price stepped forward, his tone respectful but firm. “We’re a joint task force—Muggles and wizards working together. We’re here to protect the students and make sure Voldemort doesn’t win tonight.”

Her gaze shifted from Price to the tactical wizards, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the insignias on their robes. “A joint task force? I never thought I’d see the day… Arthur Weasley would have been proud.”

Caldwell stepped forward, offering a respectful nod. “We’ve been working together for a while now, Professor. The situation demanded it.”

The professor shook her head slightly, still processing the sight before her. “Muggles… with weapons, working with wizards. It’s… impressive. But how…?”

Price glanced at Caldwell, then back at the professor. “It’s been a long road, ma’am. We’re here to do what we do best—take down the enemy and protect the innocent. But for this to work, no one can know we were here.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes as she nodded slowly. “I see… If it must be done, then so be it. Do what you must.”

Caldwell raised his wand, ready to perform the memory wipe. But before he could, the professor gave Price and his team a small, grateful smile. “Thank you… for everything.”

Price nodded back. “It’s our duty.”

As the memory wipe took effect, the professor’s expression softened into a peaceful, unaware state. The team vanished into the shadows, leaving no trace of their presence behind. But even as the professor continued down the corridor, a faint impression lingered—a sense of something significant, something extraordinary—before she moved on to the next task at hand.

—

As the team settled into their positions once more, a chilling voice echoed through the castle. Voldemort’s voice.

“Harry Potter. I know you’re here. Come to me and face your destiny. It’s time to end this.”

Price and his team exchanged glances, knowing that the final confrontation was imminent. They were ready to do whatever it took to protect Harry and ensure that Voldemort didn’t win.