Hello again all my patient and wonderful readers.
I have taken a LONG hiatus, but alas, here I am again. This story I feel has not gotten the chance it deserves, and this is a repost and deconstruction of the story entirely. Enjoy, comment, leave your questions and concerns.
Hermione POV
Hermione's mother often gave her advice she disregarded. Once she had told Hermione that uncertainty was a part of the human condition. This never made much sense to her. Hermione always craved to find the answer to her many questions.
Side-stepping over a fallen Hufflepuff, Hermione continued down the corridor laboring for breath. She felt the familiar pang of betrayal. She couldn't stop to take care of her fallen comrade. Hermione knew it was already too late for the young girl. Her blonde hair now dyed red, her pretty upturned nose crooked. Her vacant eyes seemed to follow Hermione down the hall, but Hermione knew better. The young Hufflepuff was one of the many who would fall this day.
Her mother wouldn't remember giving her such advice, or any. But the words rung in Hermione's ears. Rang like the crashing of curses upon the Hogwarts walls. Hermione had planned and stragidized. She was still at a loss.
Hermione raced toward the Astronogmy Tower, pushing herself up the staircase. Green light illuminated the windows and followed the deafening crack of curses leaving wands. She was aware that her foot steps were the only ones that could be heard in the tower.
Where was Harry?
She planned for this. That's why she was useful to the Golden Trio. She wasn't powerful like Harry, or headstrong as Ron. She was the brains, her skills stood in defying her mother's advice.
As she reflected on her studying and planning, she became aware of the fact she was alone. She was separated from Ron, Harry, and the other members of The Order.
A darker part of her wondered if that separation was for good.
The last six years of her life had been amounting to this battle. The war that waged on outside would decide her freedom. Hers and every muggleborn and 'impure' wizard alive and to be born. She admired those who are strong enough to brave the front line.
And she couldn't handle not knowing how this battle would end.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron had made a plan for if they were separated. They would fight for as long as they could before meeting in the Astrology Tower.
Hermione sucked in air through her teeth as her ankle gave out from under her. She fell to the ground, her arms too slow to break her fall. Attempting to even her breath, she gathered herself. She then pulled her body weight up using the hand rail. Setting her leg under herself once more, she continued up the stairway. After a few more steps she debated crawling. She smelled iron and spat out the taste.
She fought as long as she could. Deatheaters were so sadistic. Their mother should have taught them not to play with their food. They had poor planning and underestimated her. Thats the only reason Hermione was able to climb this staircase at all.
Hermione could see the tall arch windows of the top of the Astronomy Tower. She hoped Ron and Harry were were as she prayed that they weren't.
If they were here she wouldn't be alone.
If they were here they were close to beaten as well.
Hermione found a reserve she didn't know she had. She pushed herself up the final steps, stumbling into the open space of the tower. Her hands broke her fall, but she couldn't find the strength to raise her head.
The swish of dress robes were undeniable. Someone was in the tower.
She collapsed to the ground. She expected Ron's warm arms to embrace her at any moment. She waited for Harry's lecture on self-preservation. Neither came.
Instead she heard a deep chuckle.
Raising her head, Hermione's eyes met silver orbs are hard as steel. The man's smile was a grimace. His hair untouched. The only indicator he was present for the battle was a cut. It reached from his temple to his cheek. A single drop of blood trickled down his chin.
"Granger. You've caused my aunt a little bit of trouble, didn't you?"
Draco Malfoy.
Fuck.
She refused to show weakness. Bracing the wall, she stood herself up. Wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand she met Malfoy's glare with her own.
"Where's Ron and Harry?"
She knew she sounded weak, but she wouldn't let Malfoy know just how weak she was.
Malfoy let out a humorless chuckle, "Still so worried about those two. Honestly, you need to worry about yourself."
Malfoy turned to completely face her head on. As he did his dress robe opened in the breeze to reveal a tattoo on his forearm.
No. Not a tattoo.
The Dark Mark.
Hermione had assumed as much, Malfoy's family being pureblood royalty. There was something chilling about coming face to face with the undeniable truth.
Hermione tightened her grip on her wand. Her face grew cold has what little blood was left flooded out. She realized that if Harry and Ron weren't here they weren't coming.
At least not in time.
"I have to prove myself, you know" Malfoy mumbled.
Hermione catalogued protection spells and attack curses that would buy her time. She planned an attack. "What do you mean?"
"The Dark Lord doesn't believe I've been a simple spy to The Light. To Dumbledore." He finished. Hermione thought he sounded spiteful.
"Were you?" She found it was difficult to stay standing.
"Was I what?" Malfoy stepped toward her. His robe blew open once more to reveal he was clutching his wand with his marked hand.
"A spy. Did you work for The Light or The Dark Lord?" Hermione backed herself against the wall.
"Does it matter? Voldemort is going to defeat Potter. It doesn't matter how you played the game. What matters is what side you're on when the victory receives his spoils." Malfoy stood arms length from Hermione. His mouth was set in a thin line. While Hermione was terrified and hurting, she couldn't help but think of Draco.
And how sad he looked.
"You know that's not true."
"Yes it is. And I was given a mission from The Dark Lord himself." Malfoy raised his wand and laid the tip on Hermione's collar bone.
Hermione would not back down to Malfoy. Not when they were kids, not now.
"What was the mission?" She questioned, knowing the answer.
She always knew the answer. Thats what she was good for.
Draco knew that too.
"You know what He asked me to do." Malfoy countered .
"Say it." She spat back, raising herself off the wall and into his wand.
"Why?" He squinted at her sudden bravery.
"Say it!" She demanding, yelling, spitting blood into his face.
"The Dark Lord wants me to kill the main members of The Order." Malfoy complied.
"And?"
"That includes you, Granger."
A moment of silence passed between them. They sized the other up. Draco noticed her numerous wounds. Her legs wobbled as if she was close to buckling over. Hermione took note of Draco's posture, as if he was wearing invisible armor. He stood straight and tall. His eyes read of chaos and conflict.
"You've been fighting a long time, Draco." Hermione spoke, staring him straight in the eyes.
"As have you, obviously." Malfoy gestured to her multiple injuries.
"That's not what I meant." She never broke eye contact.
Draco's eyes softened. His anger returned shortly, and his wand pressed deeper into her flesh.
"You don't know what you're talking about." He snarled.
"If anyone understands, it's me." She was unwilling to waver.
"Shut up!" Malfoy snapped. He moved his wand to the center of her throat. "Avada Ka-
"I don't blame you." She interrupted.
Draco blinked absently for what seemed like years.
"What?" He breathed.
"I don't blame you" Hermione repeated, "I'm sorry."
"Wh-What?! Why are you apologizing?!" Draco unconsciously lowered his wand.
"I'm sorry you feel like this is your only choice" She stared down at the wand. When she raised her head to look Draco in the eyes she had unshed tears filling her vision, "but please, Draco. Please. Don't do this."
"I-" He had to. "I ha-"
"Draco!" The tears were falling. She didn't want to die.
"Stop pleading! Stop! Stop it! STOP!" He was losing what composer he thought he had. He looked down into her brown eyes and resisted the urge to brush away the tears. He admired her bravery.
Draco began breathing heavy. "Killing you is the only hope my family has in this new world."
"You don't have to live in that world." She knew she was pleading now. He silently stared into her eyes.
"The world is changing. You won't be accepted anyway. It will be easier this way. I'll end the pain." He was convincing himself.
Hermione swallowed hard, "we could have been friends, Draco. Without blood prejudice or childhood rivalry. We could have been friends."
He gave her a small, broken smile, "Don't worry. I'll follow after you soon enough."
"Draco-"
"-I'm sorry, Hermione."
"Draco, no!"
"Avada Kadavera"
In a blast of green light, Hermione Granger crumbled to the ground. Her small broken body resembled a rag doll. Her vacant eyes watched Draco Malfoy as he put his wand away. He slowly closed her eyelids, bringing Hermione completely into the darkness.
Hermione planned everything.
But she never planned to be murdered by Draco Malfoy.