The air in the Great Hall was thick with fear. Suddenly, Voldemort’s voice boomed through the castle, chilling everyone to the bone.

“Harry Potter, I know you are here. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, I shall enter this castle and kill everyone who stands in my way. Hand over the boy, and no one else will be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched.”

As his voice faded, silence fell. The students and staff stood frozen, processing the terrifying ultimatum. Then, Pansy Parkinson stepped forward, her voice shaking. "What are we waiting for? Someone grab him!" She pointed directly at Harry, eyes filled with desperation, hoping to shift the blame.

The Great Hall fell into a tense hush. Slytherins shifted nervously, unsure whether to follow her lead. Harry’s heart raced as his eyes locked with Pansy’s, but he stood still. Hermione quickly moved closer, her grip tightening on her wand. "Don’t even think about it," she said quietly, voice firm.

Ron glared at Pansy, his face flushed with anger. "Is that really where your loyalties lie, Parkinson?" His voice rang with accusation.

Pansy crossed her arms, trying to seem confident. "I’m just saying, if we give him up, maybe we won’t all have to die!"