Hermione ran through the woods, snapping branches and twigs as she stumbled around the forest. Her golden brown curls whipped around her face as she ran. Being silent didn't matter anymore, their surprise attack on the Death Eaters had been a failure. She could see clearly in her mind's eye that faithful moment when it had all gone wrong. Neville's back had arched gracefully down to the ground, like a sick imitation of Sirius's four years ago. She could hear Bellatrix's insane laugh still ringing in her ears, her heart pounding the blood and guilt to her head. She had lost Harry and Ron. They would never forgive her for sending them away in the heat of the battle, no massacre, that had been her idea. Her plan had been to lure the Death Eaters out with the promise of a captured Harry. Dumbledore's Army would attack, their numbers would fall, Voldemort would have setbacks to his plan. She had not been expecting Snape, Bellatrix, and Voldemort to be there. Someone had betrayed them. She stumbled, her injured leg resisting at it's latest torment. She looked back, saw what looked to be Lucius and Draco Malfoy running toward her, their wands drawn and teeth bared. She had fought well; done her job well. Many villains had fallen to her wand. She wanted it to end. A voice, one that sounded much like Albus's said" No, Hermione, you mustn't think like that. The boys need you, keep fighting. Don't give up!" Her lungs ached, her leg threatened to give way. She couldn't do it anymore. She turned and sent a curse at them. They were not expecting the "mud blood" to fight back with such venom. They had seen her fight, if the Master had not made them, they would not have run to follow her. Lucius whipped his wand, sending a cutting jinx at her. Master wanted her alive, for bait, he said. She had deflected his jinx in one move, and had sent a disarming hex at Draco. The boy had fallen, his broken nose hindering his movements, with a pained cry. She shouted at him. Her words struck him. "Draco, the time has come to choose a side. The path of destruction Voldemort leaves in his wake is to great. Were the words you said to me a lie? This is your last chance, your betrayal tonight was a mistake on your part. I will not offer this chance anymore." Draco looked at her, her words striking him, she sounded so old, wise even. She had seen to much, done to much. Her voice was filled with pain, anger, and a strong bite of hatred; he was glad it was not directed at him. He knew what he had done was wrong, yet his loyalty to the Dark Lord was still a part of him. The choice she was asking him to make…"Shut up, filth." his father shouted, rage in his every word. "Your words mean nothing to my son! The Dark Lord will kill you and your friends, and you false, poisoned words will be the end of you and your rebellion!" the two began to duel, Draco trying to stand, still senseless from his broken nose. The vision that was beginning to return was blurred and spinning. Hermione panted, she could not keep this up much longer. Bellatrix's curse had worked well, and her broken leg was not getting any better. The guilt was crushing her, all those lives, all her friends, lost. Suddenly a bright blue light came out of the woods, hitting her square in the chest. She keeled over, her head hitting the forest floor with a sharp CRACK!