Everything belongs to J.K. Rowlings...she invented this series and us fans just need a bit more.

Enjoy

0o0o0 Always 0o0o0o0

Chapter 7

"Wait a moment. I know who you are. You're that cunt who messed with my memories!" Thorfinn Rowle shouted as he raised his wand at me. I quickly cast protego and deflected the curse he sent my way. He kept throwing curse after curse. I backed up against the wall since I didn't want him at my back. "You have no idea of the things I want to do to you, mudblood. I will enjoy your screams very much," he said with a leer across his face. I pulled my shields up not trying to imagine what he meant. "I will have you begging for death after I enjoy your feeble efforts to get away from me ."

I smirked at that, "I will make you regret ever touching the innocent, Rowle."

He seemed thrown off for a moment before throwing another stunner at me. I moved my wand quickly and whispered, "Fumos maximus." The room instantly filled with black smoke. I quickly sent him two more spells. Obscure and Incarcerous which would blind him and bind him. I heard a thud followed by a grunt. I walked over to him as I cleared the smoke. He was laying on his back and his eyes were glazed over. Chains held him immobile.

I grab his hand gently as I let the cool feeling of my occlumency shields raising up and soothing my thoughts. I plucked his wand and pocketed it. My mark had been pulsing for a while now. It didn't bother me like it once had. Whatever was inside of me helped me. I just didn't know if it was in a good way or not. It didn't matter since it focused my thoughts and blocked out any stray emotions.

"Let me go you filthy mudblood!" He screamed at me with spittle flying out of his mouth. If I had a Galleon for every time somebody called me that I would be richer than the Black family had been. Thinking of Black House I remembered a certain dark book that I had "borrowed" from them. It had spells that would help me with this type of scumbag.

I grabbed my wand and pointed it at the center of his forehead and said, "Valdtaly Oriae." The curse would make him relive every perverse/rape but through the victim's eyes. For a moment there was only my breathing and his harsh one. All of a sudden, he started screaming in horror. The book had only explained the basics of the curse. That it would make them almost physically feel what they had done to the victim. I got up and stared down at him in had to deal with the likes of him and still be a little sane. There were many things to discuss with Snape. I cast the disillusionment charm again and walked out of the common room. The halls were empty everybody must have moved towards the Great Hall right away. I was almost to the top of the tower when I heard Fred and George talking. him still screaming at the top of his lungs.

I got up and stared down at him in fascination. Snape had to deal with the likes of him and still be sane. There were many things to discuss with Snape. I cast the disillusionment charm again and walked out of the common room. The halls were empty everybody must have moved towards the Great Hall right away. Walking up to the Astronomy Tower I could faintly hear the voices of the others. I was almost to the top of the tower when I heard Fred and George talking.

"I think we have enough potions, George," said Fred. I walked over a little closer and saw George carrying a box and Fred had several vials in his hands. I was guessing it was blood-replenishing potions. "I have to get everyone potions. I'm heading to the library next. Terry had set a trap but ended up in his own trap so they need some potions. I WILL see you later Fred." George looked pointedly at Fred as he said that.

"Later, George."

"Later, Fred."

George grabbed the broom that was leaning against the pillar next to Fred and quickly cast a charm on himself and the broom. He disappeared. Must have used the same charm I was using. I looked over at the other people in the same group as Fred. Lee Jordan, Hope Fawcett, Padma Patil, and Percy. Only Percy was near him since everybody else was either on the catwalks or on the first level. I slowly moved away from them and stopped at the pillar next to Fred. He started talking to his older brother.

I wasn't listening to their talk. Instead, I was looking around the area surrounding the tower trying to look for any Death Eaters. I had my wand ready as well Rowel's. I knew it was hard to handle two wands at once but ever since Bellatrix tortured me...it has been easy to do some things.

I looked around the pillar Fred was standing in front of when I heard a broom zoom by. I noticed the hooded figure first. The wind blew back its hood and I narrowed my eyes. The man looks suspiciously like Crabbe just older. He aimed his wand at the pillar where Fred stood. I heard Fred saying, "...I don't think I've heard you joke since you were…" He didn't finish what he was saying as the spell hit the pillar. I pointed my wand at Fred, "Carpe Retractum." He was pulled towards me and out of the way of the explosion. I let Fred go and looked over at Percy. He had seen the explosion and had moved forward. He looked confused for a moment when I heard the stone under him give way. I jumped towards him as Fred screamed, "PERCY!"

Percy went down. I heard him scream before hitting the grounds below with a thud. I stumbled back and hit the pillar behind me. Fred was screaming and scrambling over to the edge. The other guys on his group were coming to see what had happened but I couldn't concentrate on them. I just kept hearing his screams and the sound of his body hitting the ground below.

I felt a scream building up at the back of my throat. My mind was being stretched as well as my shields. I grabbed my head as my mark pulsed and throbbed. I pulled my emotions tighter and blocked them with everything I had. My magic was swirling around on my skin. Cold and powerful. I need to continue on no matter what. I left Fred on the floor crying and screaming for his fallen brother. I had saved him but for the price of his brother's life.

Once I arrived at the middle court I was going to go around it using the archways but I noticed that no Death Eaters were there. Charlie Weasley and Lisa Turpin were facing the left side of the courtyard while Hestia Jones and Lavender were on the other. I knew that Lavender would die I just wasn't sure when exactly. For all, I knew she could have died at the same time as Cho Chang.

I was about to leave when I heard a howl pierce the night. I had forgotten about the werewolves. I looked behind Lavender who was standing closer to the archway. There were three men heading towards us. At the front was Fenrir Greyback. He was followed by two other men. They looked wild just like he did. Must be from his pack.

Lavender stiffened and made as if to move back when I heard Lisa shout. I looked over at her. She wasn't looking at us anymore. Two other men had joined us but they were definitely Death Eaters. One cornered Charlie and the other Lisa. They seem to have it in control so I turned to look at Fenrir who was still standing under the archway. He was leering at Lavender who in return had a look of disgust on her face.

I couldn't let Lavender die. Reason being; Greyback wasn't important to the outcome of the war. I sent a silent bombarda at the archway above him. The stones exploded and crushed one of the werewolves behind of him. Greyback howled and jumped to the side. That put him closer to me.

Greyback sniffed the air all of sudden and turned in my direction. "It seems like you have a traitor amongst you," he growled with a sneer plastered to his face. I stiffened and quickly cast Failendo Faim silently as well. It took away my smell and any noise. He growled louder and moved as if to pounce. I held my wand ready and was about to curse him when Hestia yelled out, "Move Lavender!" We looked over at them just as the second wolf made a grab at Lavender. Hestia pushed the girl out the way as the werewolf launched itself at her.

He grabbed Hestia's neck and twisted it hard. We heard a loud crunch and she was gone. He threw her body to the floor and turned towards Lavender. I heard Charlie shout and turned to see him run towards us. Lisa had also bound the Death Eater she had been fighting and was running right behind him. Greyback growled and took one more sniff in my direction and turned tail.

The coward.

Charlie sent a curse at the werewolf who was still standing over the body of Hestia. He flew back and hit the ruined archway. I turned away from them; I knew that that by saving Lavender had resulted in the death of Hestia even if she had gotten in the way and saved Lavender. I was out of the court before the other could reach Hestia. I had three more people to save. In exchange for them, I would indirectly kill somebody else in return. It made me a monster. A monster who took it knowing fully well what she had gotten into.

Heading towards the middle towers (Dark Tower) I passed all seven floors until I reached the topmost cell on top of the tower. Walking in slowly I saw Oliver Wood standing next to Parvati talking near the cell. Remus was beside Hannah near the ledge looking out into the transfiguration courtyard.

I was guessing that several hours had passed already. I walk slowly over to Remus, I need to be close to him since I didn't know when exactly he died. I was twirling my wand around when I saw three shadows heading towards us. Remus raised his wand before anybody else did.

Antonin landed in front of Hannah and Remus while the other two Death Eaters landed behind him facing Oliver and Parvati. Remus stepped in front of Hannah, raising his wand at Dolohov. "Take care of the runts, MacNair," said Dolohov as he raised his own wand.

McNair advances on both Oliver and Parvati and the other unknown Death Eaters moves around Dolohov to point his own wand at Hannah. Both pairs started sending spells and curses at each other. Hannah was losing ground against the Death Eater and Remus was getting distracted. He kept deflecting Dolohov's curses but also kept looking over at Hannah.

I need to do something but wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't let them know I was there but I knew that sooner or later Remus would die.

Pointing my wand at the Death Eater that Hannah I silently sent Alarte Ascendare. I saw him shoot back and fall of the ledge. He screamed as he fell. Hannah looked shocked at that and moved in front of Remus by accident. Dolohov flicked his wand at her and Remus deflected it. I pointed my wand between them, "Confringo." I said ground exploded between them and Dolohov jumped back. Remus grunted as a piece of stone hit his shoulder knocking him on his back. Dolohov yelled, "Avada Kedavra!" at the same spot where Remus had been standing.

Hannah was standing there instead without the protection of Remus anymore. The spell hit her in the chest and she fell off the ledge. I could hear the sounds of shouts of horror coming from the courtyard below.

I looked over just as Oliver stunned McNair and ran up behind Dolohov. Dolohov seeing as he was outnumbered shot up into the air wrapped in shadows. Parvati screamed in anger and pain as she got closer to the side of the ledge where Hannah's body had fallen. Oliver grabbed her around the waist. "Stop, she's gone Parvati." Remus was still on the floor but he was also facing the same ledge. I looked down as I felt something drip down my arm. My shoulder throbbed and I realized I had also gotten hit with a flying piece of stone. My magic was cold as it pulsed along with my mark. It settled almost painfully on my skin.

I turned away from Parvati's crying face, Oliver's shocked face and Remus's guilt-ridden face. I had more blood on my hands now. I looked down at them as I walked away. Occluding with everything I had, I knew I was going to break soon if I didn't hurry up.

I slowly made my way down towards the Bell Towers. I had one more person to save. I tried not to think about who I would have to trade this life for. I couldn't let my mind process that or else I would accidently drop my shields. I walked past the east wing where I could hear Slughorn and Sprout talking. I guess they were going to defend this side. Bill, Colin, and Tonks must be near the two towers.

The sound of Tonks' voice reached me first. "Teddy can change his hair color!" Tonks said excitedly. "Really?" Colin asked. I had gotten closer now and could see Tonks standing next to Colin. Her hair was neon purple and she had her pig nose out. Colin looked fascinated with her.

Bill was standing by the opened wooden doors which led to the greenhouses outside. He didn't seem to be paying attention to them. He was looking down at his feet with a frown on his face. I walked around Tonks, who was still talking about baby Teddy, to stand near Bill. I looked at his profile which had those long claw marks across his face. I checked to see if I still had my charms on since I knew that Greyback could smell me and hear me.

I knew that Bill couldn't turn into a werewolf every month like Remus could but I knew that he did have some attributes that resembled a werewolf. He seemed lost in thought but every once in awhile he would look out the doors. In the distance, we could hear the clock chime. It had been going off all night.

One second it was silent and the next you could hear Bellatrix's insane laughter coming from outside. Two black shadows swept through the doors and suddenly there stood Bellatrix. I tensed up. I wish I could kill her now but I knew I couldn't. The second shadow showed a man who stood to face Colin and Tonks. Bill had stepped in front of Bellatrix.

"You blood-traitor whore! You don't deserve to call yourself a pureblood!" Bellatrix yelled at Bill who in return sneered. "Crucio!" she screamed at him. He deflected the curse over and over again. I moved away from him and closer to Tonks who was fighting with the Death Eater that had arrived with Bellatrix.

"Mulciber, take care of her and the runt!" screeched the insane witch as she threw another crucio at Bill. Mulciber doubled his efforts against Tonks. Colin was also sending spells his way but Mulciber was stronger and faster. I gripped my wand ready to interfere when I heard Bill let out a roar as he was finally hit with one of Bellatrix's curses. He writhed on the floor. Bellatrix turned her attention to Tonks and didn't even glance at Colin. She flicked her wand at him and he flew back and hit the wall with a loud thud. "Go, fetch the rest and bring them here," Bellatrix said to Mulciber. He left and Bellatrix took over.

"You are a disgrace Nymphadora. You married a flea infested beast and gave birth to his horrendous dog." she cackled as she sent a curse at Tonks.

Tonks looked at her aunt with a determined look on her face. She was a strong witch and Auror but her aunt had more experience. I looked over at Bill but he was still caught in the throes of the cruciatus. I stepped in front of him and pointed my wand at Bellatrix's robes. "Incendio," I said quietly. The fire started up her robes and she shrieked as she turned her attention to her robes. I got up and pointed my wand at Tonks silently sending Everte Statum. It threw Tonks back into the wall. I heard Bellatrix yell out, "Deprimo Maximus!"

Colin had gotten up from his position on the floor and had run at Bellatrix with his wand out. The spell hit him directly in the chest. He gasped and fell on his back. His fingers clawed at his chest as the curse crushed his chest. Bellatrix laughed loudly and turned her wand towards Tonks. I pointed my wand at Bellatrix's head; the killing curse on the tip of my tongue.

Before she could utter a curse we heard Slughorn running down the hall with Sprout behind him. "Leave her alone you monster!" bellowed Slughorn as he pointed his wand at Bellatrix. Bill had finally moved to his side and raise his wand as well. Bellatrix snarled and left in a cloud of smoke out the opened doors.

Colin gave a loud gasp and stopped moving. Tonks screamed, "No!" as she crawled towards Colin. She grabbed his shoulders carefully and ran a diagnostic test quickly over him. Slughorn and Sprout had finally reached us and looked down sadly at Colin.

Bill shakily got to his feet as he walked slowly towards Tonks. His whole body was trembling as he kneeled down beside Tonks, "I'm sorry, Tonks." She sobbed loudly and turned her head into his shoulder. I looked away as something deep in my chest shook in grief. I couldn't watch this anymore. I walked away for the fourth time with my shields barely in place and my soul more damaged than before. I was a monster for standing there and doing nothing.

I walked back to the Gryffindor tower where I had left Rowle. I need to get rid of him before my past self would go to the common room. I slowly made my way up the stairs and stopped at the portrait. I lifted my hand and carefully opened it. It would be my last time walking into the Gryffindor tower. I would not be returning here ever again.

I could hear Rowle still screaming but it was hoarse and almost gone. I pointed my wand at the window beside the fireplace, "Confringo," I said softly. The window exploded into a million pieces. I then pointed my wand at his body, "Mobilicorpus." I slowly moved his body over by the window and slipped him through it. His legs were out the window and his torso balanced his body on the broken window. I looked down at him in disgust. "I hope you rot in hell." I let him go and dropped all of the spells and curses on him. He screamed as he fell. I should have felt something. Anything. I had just killed willingly.

I heard the clock chime again as I calmly walked out of the tower. It had been my home for many years. It had so many memories but I walked out on it all. It held no place in the future in front of me. I closed the portrait and walked towards the moving staircase. Instead of heading down I went up. I walked several stairs up and looked down.

I waited for my past self to walk into the tower. I looked around at all of the empty portraits. I would never set eyes on this ever again. I should have felt sad. I should have cried that this was the way my years at Hogwarts was going to end. I didn't.

I heard footsteps below me and looked down. I saw myself head into the tower. Nobody would know what exactly I had given up when I turned the time-turner. I fingered it through my shirt.

Walking down the stairs I dropped my disillusionment charm and headed towards the Entrance Hall. I need to talk to Harry and get rid of the time-turner. I couldn't keep it with me or I would be tempted to use it again. I looked around and saw Harry walking out alone from the Great Hall. He looked around slowly. His eyes skimmed over me and sharply moved back. He stared at me for the longest time. His eyes moved down my face to my arm. I had forgotten about the wound I had gotten from the Dark Tower.

He walked slowly towards me before suddenly sprinting towards me. I stood there still not willingly to feel anything since I knew I would break down completely. He didn't stop once he reached me. He engulfed me in a tight hug, the smell of smoke and death clinging to his every pore. Not giving my wound a second thought I raised my arms slowly and embraced him back. He needed this from me. Just like I had needed it from him when Ron had left us back at the tent which felt like ages ago.

"I'm so glad you are okay Hermione." I nodded and stepped away. I didn't meet his eyes as I said, "I'm glad you're okay too Harry." I glanced down at my hand which had dried blood all over it. "I'm leaving for a while. I need to get away. Severus is alive, Harry. I was able to save him. He is in a safe place now. You know he now he was never a Death Eater. Don't ask how I know. Draco and Narcissa will stay with me as well. Just inform me when we will have trails for them."

He looked shocked for a moment. "I don't understand, Hermione. What about Ron? What about everybody else. They will want to know what happened to you" I looked up at him. "I can't Harry. I have done some stuff that...I'm not myself anymore Harry. I will look after them. Just let Kingsley know. Plus, Yaxley has taken my mother and my father was killed. I need to find her and the only people who would know anything about her will be them." He stared down at me and nodded. "Okay, I'll let them know but are you going to be safe?" I turned away from him before replying.

"I was never safe Harry."

0o0o0o0 Always 0o0o0o0

So….I don't know what to say.

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~Nessa