A/N: Goodness but that was a long break between updates. Thanks to those of you that patiently waited and for your encouraging reviews. Life has been busy, especially with the kids now on summer break. Thought I would get some time on holiday, but nope. In other news, I did get to go to Planet Comicon in May and meet my childhood crush, Tom Felton. So yeah, that was VERY exciting. Also, going on holiday again in July so I'm hoping to for real, for real, get some writing time in.

Thanks ever so much to RooOjoy for the incredible BETA! She is collaborating with another writer on a lovely dramione called Out of Flames by PhoenixTwins that I highly recommend!

Thanks to those that followed and favorited and to the reviewers: MLieber, littleneko1923 , Juliet Urie Way Dawson , Annamonk , cosmoswithchaos, jillcovey , Zipporah363, Meganscool, Aftermath11 , LeanaM, misfitofhonor, riddlesgurl86, patty, Diokomen, Makele.880, I was BOTWP, Thegryffindorlioness , lle1987, chltm92 , KaleidoscopeMind , Coeur de l'amour , SlytherinPrincessNurse1994 , Impatient, Eternal-Glade , ready waiting, Alytiger, Calimocho, GrumpierTurtle, AnnaOxford, MySilverEyedSlytherin, and Mia Potter Black

Art for this fic can be found on photobucket under username Ariel_Riddle/Past Erased

Warnings: Violence, Character Death


"I guess your Obliviation didn't protect me after all."

Draco felt as if he'd been punched in the gut. The atmosphere in the dark dungeon chilled even more so and he felt as if he was spiraling. He made a valiant effort to rein in on his tumultuous emotions; there was no time to think of them right now. Her face was hard and furious and anger was alive in her eyes. Her gaze was dangerous and shrouded in darkness. He wanted to flinch away but was strangely drawn to it. What's more, he knew he deserved every bit of it.

"How much do you remember," he breathed, carefully schooling his features. He knew he had no right to ask, but couldn't stop himself.

Her eyes look haunted. For a moment, she seemed disorientated and reached with trembling fingers, to brush the hard stone floor. He wished she would hold on to him. "Everything."

His mask splintered and he knew she could see the torrent of emotions that passed over his features. He tensed his muscles, swallowing audibly. "Everything?" He repeated the word, stunned. How had she, how could she have remembered everything?

"Yes, Draco." And despite how broken he was, knowing there was no chance for them now, his heart still sung at the sound of his name on her lips. "I remember everything. To say nothing of your great talent with the memory charm."

He didn't break her gaze, looking at her openly, startling insight registered in her eyes. He felt strangely numb and every fiber of his being begged him to reach out and grab her, hold onto her and pull her to him, tightly, so tightly. He would never let go. But he knew that wasn't an option now. What he had done was unforgivable.

She hissed in pain and Draco sprung into action, reaching out for her instinctively. "Are you okay?" Flashes of feeling returned to his shocked face.

"Yes, I...I think so. I just...everything hurts. My skull—it's throbbing. And I'm so nauseous. But I can get up, I think."

Daphne rushed forward but Draco was already helping her to her feet. He grimaced at the effort it took her even though she was leaning most of her weight on him. My aunt must have did her job thoroughly, he thought darkly.

"I got you," he whispered. She looked up at him then, awareness crystallizing her gaze. He met her stare with trepidation, a mixture of terror and pain waiting beneath the surface of his skin, his whole body braced for the onslaught of her wrath. Alarms went off as he realized the vulnerable position he was in, but he didn't heed them. "I'm...I'm so sorry." Her face tightened and his stomach twisted painfully. "I never meant to, it wasn't my intention to hurt you. Never that." He stared at her desperately, hungrily, letting her see the truth of his words. Her features twisted in a mixture of disbelief and incredulity. She remembers. Years of suffering alone and now she finally remembers. Remembers and...hates me for it. "I'm sorry, Hermione." Anguish tainted his words.

"I can't...I can't do this right now," she choked, wrenching her arm away from his grip and he let go awkwardly as she took a few trembling steps away from him.

He had the desire to crumple as if he were in physical pain, but resisted the urge. Clenching his jaw in resolve and ignoring the desperate flutter in his stomach, he prepared himself for the only task that mattered, getting her to safety.

"Hermione," Daphne said, walking up to her and placing her hands on her shoulders. "Do you think you can walk? We need to get out of here. We can all help you."

"I...I think so." For the first time, she seemed to notice the others. "What are you guys all doing here? It isn't safe, You-Know-Who's been here and he may still be here now." Draco flinched at the raspy sound of her voice. Hoarse from screaming.

"You know we wouldn't leave you, 'Mione," said Blaise.

"Yeah." Theo shifted uncomfortably, fiddling with his wand. "You're one of us. And it looks like your barmy-Gryffindor-ways are rubbing off."

Daphne gave her a meek smile, meant to be comforting. Draco could hardly see it in the dim light of the dungeon.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the three of them suspiciously. "You three knew, didn't you? About Draco and I...our past. Did you know?"

"Hermione," Daphne said, attempting to reach for her again. She wrenched away, Daphne's call for her proof enough.

"No, not now. I can't right now."

"That's okay, no one expects you to. Listen, right now, the most important thing is getting you out of here, all of us. We'd like to get out alive. Now, do you think you can...put everything aside, just until we are safe again?"

Hermione's eyes were glued to the floor, her brows furrowed, but ever the trooper, she gave a slight nod.

"Good, that's very good." Daphne reached into her satchel and pulled out two small vials. "Here," she handed Hermione one of the vials. "This is Strengthening Solution. I know you've been...under the torture curse for a while. So this should help you regain some of your strength until you can rest properly. And drink this, Draught of Peace. It will help...calm the after effects of the Cruciatus."

"Alright, thanks," Hermione mumbled, taking the vials and draining them one after another. She closed her eyes and then opened them sharply, the haze was gone and replaced by a counterfeit energy thanks to the potions. "Right then, catch me up to speed. I imagine we have a lot to do to have any chance of getting out of this alive."

"Um...well, Draco was going to help you get to the safe house while we-" Blaise looked up, lost, and seemingly unsure if he should continue, "while we, er, clean up after ourselves."

"Yes, Granger. Let me get you to the Grotto," Draco said, his voice rough. "Those potions are only temporary. You need real rest."

"Don't worry about things here," Theo said. "We'll tie all the loose ends."

"Loose ends," she repeated, suspicion etched in her voice. "What in the bloody hell does that mean?" She stared them down, one after another, her eyes fiery and determined. "I swear to Merlin you lot better not be deceiving me again."

"Loose ends, meaning," Daphne shot a helpless look to the others, then plunged on recklessly. "Look, 'Mione, Harry decided now was the time to approach You-Know-Who. So he's up there now, hoping to catch the Death Eaters by surprise. But we don't need your help! We are, all of us, well-rested and equipped to handle it. You've had your battle and now you get a break."

"But I don't want a break," she raged, voice rising shrilly. "Trust me when I say, if there's a fight, I'm not running away. I'll be more than happy to join." She reached for a wand that wasn't there. "I've been here from the start. I've come to terms long ago with the fact that I may just not make it out of this war alive, and I'm at peace with that. But please don't try to send me to some safehouse. I won't hide away like a coward when the Order needs me."

"The Order needs you rested," Draco argued. "They need you to recover. Honestly, Granger, can't you just stop being so willful just this once?"

"Draco, don't argue with me. After everything, would you deny me of this decision as well? It's up to me. I'm not some liability. I may not have a wand now, but it won't take me long to get one."

"Hermione's an adult," Blaise said, crossing his arms. "She has a right to decide for herself."

"Thank you, Blaise."

Daphne pressed her lips in a thin line, her face laced with concern. "If that's what you want, Hermione. If you're sure."

"It is, I promise."

"Bloody hell, are you guys really going to fight me on this?" Draco turned to Theo, looking at him beseechingly.

"I…" Theo put his arms up in surrender. "I don't know. Fuck, you guys work it out."

They were interrupted by a large noise from above them.

"The Parlor." Draco's muscles tensed with alarm. "Go!" He motioned to the other three, and they quickly bounded up the dimly lit stairs.

Hermione made to go after them, but Draco reached for her, pulling her back flesh against his chest and holding her tightly.

"Buggering hell, Draco. Let me go this instant!" she ordered.

"Fuck no," he said, breathing in the heady scent of her hair, and feeling his stomach clench with nervous anticipation. "I could give a shit what the other's say, you're coming with me and I'm getting you out of here...alive. That was the whole bloody point of this mission."

"Draco," she said, voice dangerously low. "I swear to Merlin you'd better let go of me. You are not robbing me of another decision, like the way you robbed me of my memories!"

His arms went slack as guilt clawed up his gut. She used that moment to spin around and pushed hard against his chest, breaking free of his relentless grip. She turned to run but he caught her wrist.

"Wait," he called, holding her firmly. "It's not just me that wants to see you returned to an Order safehouse. Potter and the Weasel, they'd have a conniption if they saw you. Scarhead would get so distracted, he'd let Voldy hit him with the Avada. Please, princess, let me take you home."

"I don't have a bloody home," she grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him away from her. He broke his grip on her wrist so as not to hurt her, and was surprised to see her advance on him. "And what have I damn-well told you in regards to that name?"

Draco put up his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, Granger. It just slipped."

She let out a sigh. "Look, you can't possibly think you're going to stop me?"

"I have a wand—you don't."

"Draco, you do understand that the decision to stay and fight is my choice? You can't take that away from me. That's the bloody problem with you."

He stared at her grimly as her words sunk in. Her face was hard, furious, and determined, and as much as he'd like to throw the slight witch over his shoulder and make their getaway, Hermione was right. He couldn't do this to her again; especially not if she was being so bloody insistent.

She hates you forever anyway, a part of him nagged. What harm would there be in making sure she gets out of this alive? He was gripped by fear, consumed by it. His fingers itched for his wand, and he may have even cast an Imperio on her while she stood patiently waiting expectantly for his answer, if the lights in the sconces hadn't went out.

He clutched his wand, reaching for her in the darkness when he heard her breath catch.

"What was that?" she breathed.

"Someone triggered the intruder alert. The Manor's on lockdown."

"Come on, Draco," she tugged on his sleeve and yanked him towards the stairs. "We have to get up there. They know we're here."

He could hardly make out anything in the blinding darkness but he heard her shuffle before she must have caught her foot on an uneven stone and tripped. Catching her by the arm he pulled her up and straightened her.

"Lumos," he murmured. The magical light from the tip of his wand purged the darkness and he could see her again. He was instantly drawn in to stare at her features, now illuminated by the eerie glow from the charm. Merlin, but she was beautiful, even now when her face was smudged with dirt. Her eyes glowed with intelligence as she scanned the dungeon, making a series of quick calculations in that sharp mind of hers, heightened from the effect of Daphne's potions. Those eyes landed back on him and his face grew hot as he knew he'd been caught staring. In the bright light, there was no way to hide his burning cheeks.

"Draco, we have to go. Our friends need us."

"Okay," he croaked, his voice coming out husky. "Only, if things don't turn out...if they...end badly. I'm going to regret not doing it."

She frowned. "Regret not doing what?"

His grey eyes were piercing as the tension built, treading into unknown territory. She stared up at him inquisitively, a question on her lips. "Regret doing this." With one step forward, he closed the small space between them. He let his free hand fall from her arm to her hip and pulled her close, catching her lips in a kiss, soft and gentle. She tensed immediately, and pushed him, hard, in the chest.

"Really, Draco? That's a bit low, don't you think?"

"Sorry." He ran a hand through his hair and swallowed audibly. "That was selfish, I know."

"We don't have time for this. That conversation is for later. Right now, we need to get upstairs."

"Alright, Granger. But don't delude yourself into thinking we'll get out of this alive. Even if we somehow manage to, odds are half of us will die tonight."

"Well, we have to try, don't we?"

He gave his head a firm shake. "Not really. I set my mother up in a safe house, like you'd suggested, er...a while ago. I did it, and it's unplottable. Close to a Muggle village in France, and off the grid. We could go there, we could take as many of us as possible. Whoever you like."

"Meanwhile, we let the war rage on and many more die while we hide like cowards?"

"Right now, all I care about is you. This fight is a lost one."

"That's rich, Draco. All you care about is me? Stop saying things like that. I've already told you we can't do this now. And all you're doing is reminding me how different we really are. Because I care about them." Raw fury rolled off of her in waves and he suppressed the urge to flinch away. She spun on her heel, heading for the stairs and Draco followed with his wand raised.

The way was already cleared for them, with the bars on the door broken and smashed. They crept quietly up the stairs. Halfway up, they could see the dim light of the parlor.

"Nox." The light from his wand disappeared and they were hidden in shadows once more.

"How many are here?" she whispered.

"Potter, Weasley, and the Weaslette."

"Really, Draco? No other Order members? Not Shacklebolt or Tonks?"

As they edged closer, they could hear a racket coming from the top of the stairs.

"They weren't there and there wasn't time to summon them."

"Well, we'd better summon them now. Go ahead, send a Patronus while we still have time. We don't know what's going to meet us when we get up there."

He hesitated for just a second, before he nodded and raised his wand. He performed the charm non-verbally and immediately a white, wispy creature shot out from the tip, lighting up the dim stairwell. His Patronus purged the darkness and highlighted her face. He was instantly drawn to her haunted eyes filled with confusion and...surprise. Draco swallowed audibly.

"Order members," Draco said, voice raspy. "From the Grotto and Grimmauld. We need your help. Malfoy Manor."

000

Hermione furrowed her brow, staring in awe at the form of Draco's Patronus. It's an otter, she thought in shock. Her eyelids fluttered shut, dizziness surging through her, despite the counterfeit energy still alive and running through her thanks to the potions.

She couldn't even look at him, she didn't want to see that hungry, desperate, yet resigned look in his eyes any longer. She wouldn't think about that damned kiss—almost like a goodbye kiss. Certainly not now. She'd been through too much. She had to get through this. He had said the odds were stacked against them, that it would be near impossible, but Hermione was determined to beat them. It wouldn't do to delve into her frantic, confused feelings now, of all times.

He repeated the message and she watched numbly as his Patronus swam gracefully off into the night.

"Right," she croaked, then shook her head as she attempted to get ahold of her bearings. This was a time to be sharp, lives were on the line and every decision they made counted heavily. "We've stalled long enough, let's go."

She bounded up the rest of the stairs and pressed herself against the wall as she peeked stealthily around the corner. She was greeted by the sight of Harry and Daphne fighting Bellatrix. Ginny was exchanging curse after curse with Selwyn. She saw a flash of red light fly by, stunning Hestia Carrow against the wall. She traced the source of the spell to Theo who immediately flicked his wand again, and a frozen Walden McNair fell to the floor, right next to Ron who was already dueling Augustus Rookwood. Blaise had Pettigrew cornered and Hermione could not see any other Death Eaters.

"You-Know-Who isn't here," she whispered over her shoulder. "Neither is Greyback. I can't understand it, where have they all went to?"

"I'm not sure. Be careful now, we have the element of surprise and need to use it wisely."

She nodded. The young Order members seemed to be holding their own against the Death Eaters. Bellatrix was giving Daphne and Harry hell, and Hermione was about to urge Draco to go help them restrain her when coppery, brown scales caught her eye.

"Draco, it's Nagini. For real this time! She's sneaking up behind Ginny!"

Draco immediately bolted into action. "Confringo!" he yelled, leveling his wand at the snake.

The spell grazed Nagini's skin and she rose up half her body to hiss in their direction, but the curse was largely ineffective on her.

"Draco, that won't work. She's a horcrux, remember? A living horcrux. Who would have even thought it possible?"

"Yes, Granger, I know, but no time for philosophy. She's coming this way and she's not happy."

Hermione could see that and quickly sprinted out from behind the wall, narrowly missing a jet of blue light and rolling over to where Hestia lie limp on the floor. Her wand was just a few feet from her body and Hermione reached out urgently for it. When her fingers touched the maple wood, a surge of triumph ran through her. She sent a spurt of her power through it, testing it; confident she would have some success with the wand obeying her, she moved it into a half circle. "Accio bag."

Immediately, her beaded bag flew from somewhere in the room to her outstretched fingers. She smiled at the familiar weight of it and flung it over her shoulders.

"Granger, with the snake, are there any spells we can use?"

"Relashio!" A stream of fiery sparks shot out from her newly acquired wand and hit the snake that had slithered towards them at an alarmingly quick rate. It was flung back into the wall but she knew they didn't have long.

"Perhaps a dark curse, like Feindfyre."

"That would bring the whole place down, unless you're good at controlling it?"

"I haven't had much practice." Her attention was drawn to Rookwood, who had Ron dangling in the air in ropes. To her left, Selwyn was throwing jinx after jinx at Ginny who was hard-pressed to block them, even resorting to rolling out of the way. "Draco, help Ginny. I'll help Ron." He clenched his jaw but nodded briefly, running over to aid the overwhelmed witch.

Hermione raised her wand and pointed it at an unsuspecting Rookwood, as she nonverbally cast the human-to-toad charm. The Death Eater didn't know what hit him as he quickly transformed into an amphibian and hopped harmlessly on the floor. Not missing a beat, Hermione aimed her wand at a light fixture not far from them on the ceiling. "Incarcifors!" The object quickly transformed into a prison cage of sorts and fell right on top of the hopping Rookwood, effectively holding him captive. "Finite Incantatem!" Ron's ropes snapped and he was deposited roughly onto the ground.

"Whoa," Ron said impressed, jogging up to her. "Blimey 'Mione, I didn't know you could use Transfiguration in a duel like that."

"Thanks, Ron." She looked distractedly about, befuddled as to how it was they were able to hold their own so well against Voldemort's followers. "Where are all the Death Eaters? Are we so lucky there are only a few of them here?"

"We heard them talking," Ron said excitedly, stopping to get his breath. "While we were under the cloak. There's been a mass breakout at the school. That's where our people are too. Apparently, they're taking them out through a passage Aberforth knows about. Bellatrix and the rest of them are clueless as to how they're escaping."

"Merlin," Hermione yanked her hand through her tumultuous curls. "That means they could return here any moment."

"Hermione watch out!"

She spun around, wand raised. "Deprimo!" The snake that had slithered dangerously close to the two of them, slammed back into the opposite wall, momentarily stunned.

"Ron, Draco and I are going to figure out how to kill the snake. We've got to do it before they return. Can you help the others?"

"Of course. 'Mione, are you alright? Malfoy was supposed to take you to the safehouse. You seem okay, they must have not hurt you too badly?"

She stiffened at the reminder of her torture, but forced herself calm. "Yes, Ron, I'm fine."

"Alright, well, just...be careful, will you?"

She didn't have a chance to answer them as a loud explosion occurred to their left. She looked over to see Ginny crumpled on the floor, and Draco getting up painfully to his feet. Selwyn had his wand leveled at him.

"AVA-," he started to say but was cut off—hit in the back by a bright blue hexing charm.

"Not my son," Lucius Malfoy said, striding into the room.

"Malfoy," Selwyn addressed the angry wizard as he held his injured arm. "Your boy's the enemy."

"It'll be fine," Lucius assured him. "Draco will do as he should and all will be well again. You will see." He turned to address Draco who looked on at his father with furious, silver eyes. They look like hot metal, Hermione thought numbly. "Son, it isn't too late. We can still get back in the Dark Lord's good graces."

Draco backed up, slowly making his way to another doorway and his father followed him. They were up against the same wall the snake had been stunned to. Dejectedly, Hermione noticed Nagini stirring again.

"Fat chance of that happening, Father," he sneered. "I've already destroyed a few of your Master's horcruxes."

"No, no." Lucius shook his head, looking slightly unhinged. "We can still come back from this. All you need to do is kill the girl." Hermione blanched at his words. "Yes, kill the girl and all will be as it was. You can bring your mother back to me, and we can be a family again."

The snake took that moment to lunge at them. Draco grabbed Hermione, spinning her behind him as he brandished his wand.

"No," Lucius addressed the snake, stepping between Nagini and Draco. "He is not the enemy. Let me speak to him." He took a few steps away from the snake, advancing on the couple and Draco moved them both backwards into the hall, eyeing his father warily.

Hermione, carefully slipped her hand in her bag, searching for the basilisk fang. She mumbled an Accio under her breath but it didn't come to her hand. Damn it, I must have dropped it when I was trying to kill the copy of the snake in the forest!

"All you need to do is kill her," Lucius repeated. "And the Dark Lord will be merciful. What good is a Mudblood? My son should only have the best."

"I would never, it would be unthinkable…you're nothing but a spineless coward. I don't hold the same beliefs as you any longer."

"Then I will do it." Hermione felt Draco tense, and looked up alarmed to see Lucius had raised his wand, pointing it at her. "Don't worry, Draco. I'll let you take the credit, since you don't have it in you."

Draco leveled his wand at his father, gripping it harshly. "It is you that will die if you threaten Hermione one more time."

"But Draco." Lucius raised his sleeve, revealing his dark mark that moved and twisted on his skin. "I've already summoned the Dark Lord. We must get rid of the filth before he gets here. It's the only way."

Hermione heard Draco's breath catch and she saw his face contort with pure rage. "What have you done?" he rasped. "You're the one that has to die. AVAD-"

Quick as lightning, Hermione raised her wand and pointed it at the elderly wizard. "OBLIVIATE!" she yelled.

The green memory charm hit the older Malfoy straight in his face, causing his head to fly backwards. When he regained his footing and opened his eyes again, he looked slightly befuddled and very...pleasant. She shot a worried glance over to the next room. The only people she saw still dueling were Daphne and Harry, as Theo and Blaise advanced from behind on Bellatrix.

"Well, hello," Lucius said in a decidedly friendly tone. "I seem to be confused. I wonder if you might tell me, where I am?"

Draco gave Hermione a meaningful look, eyes intense and eyebrows raised.

"What?" she snapped.

"Really, Granger, the memory charm?"

"Draco, you were going to kill him. I think that's the lesser of two evils."

He said nothing, merely looking at her. Hermione shuffled uncomfortably, but then she caught sight of the snake sliding towards them again. "Draco, look out," she shouted.

He whirled around, casting a nonverbal Expulso. The snake dodged the brunt of the attack and lunged for him, snapping her mouth open and showcasing her fangs. Draco rolled on the floor avoiding the onslaught, and gripped his wand as he cast a weak knock-back jinx that only bought him a scant few seconds.

"Oh dear, why, that looked like magic," Lucius said, awestruck.

"Hermione, have you got the fang? Use it while I distract her."

Distract her? The snake will tear him to shreds!

"I don't have it," she cried. Reaching one last time into her bag and doing a hopeless blind sweep, her eyes widened in surprise when she felt something like hard, cold metal. Gripping the hilt of it, she used all her strength and pulled out...the jewel encrusted sword of Godric Gryffindor.

"Oh gods," she said, panting as she stared at the gleaming sword. "It's here...here in my bag. I'd given it to Harry, but it's reappeared."

"Hermione, oh, you brilliant witch you. Can you raise it? You'll need to bring it down hard and fast."

She was distracted by a commotion coming from the Parlor but she couldn't focus on it now; she had more pressing matters.

She raised the sword high in the air, and brought it down hard, meaning to sever the tail of the snake. Nagini whipped her lower body quickly to the right, just in the nick of time. The sword collided with the marble floor and Hermione cringed as she tried to lift it back up, her sore muscles finally starting to catch up with her.

"Good girl." Draco dodged another snap of fangs from Nagini and threw a hex at the snake. "You did beautifully. Now just do it one more time."

"Oh my, I wonder...should I get help? I hear others in the adjoining room…" Lucius trailed off unsure.

"Stay right there," Draco snapped.

This time when she held the sword up high, she was determined to bring it down faster but flinched when she heard a sound like an explosion come from the other room. Her aim was off and missed Nagini entirely.

"Don't worry about that right now," Draco said. "Try it again, Hermione. You're so close!"

Exasperated and consumed with worry, she picked up the heavy sword and slammed it down. The snake twisted sharply, but she actually managed to nick it's body.

Nagini forgot all about Draco, and instead curled fast to face Hermione. Taken off her guard, she found herself falling to the floor, the sword clattering somewhere beside her. The snake was coming for her quickly, her head whipped forwards and she could see the sharp fangs in the large, cavern of the snake's mouth. Hermione let out a panicked scream, dodging out of the way, then rolling sideways to escape the attack again.

"RELASHIO," Draco yelled. Hermione ducked out of the way as she felt the heat of his curse draw near, just barely missing her. It missed the snake too, but bought her a moment of distraction before she felt Nagini's lower body slithering around her legs.

"I'm sorry," Draco said. "It keeps moving, I'll try to get the sword." She heard him shuffling but so did Nagini and the snake advanced on him ready to strike. She surged towards him but missed, then lunged again.

The sword, she thought as she slammed her body down and away from another fatal bite. She felt the hilt by her fingers...just there. Stretching her body, she reached for the sword and looked up to see Nagini's mouth descending down on her at an alarming speed. Mustering all the strength she could call upon, she grabbed the sword and lashed it sideways in the air, slicing through Nagini like butter.

A cacophony of sound and light erupted from the severed head and body of the snake, encompassing them in a noisy sphere of energy. Hermione fell to the floor, screwed her eyes shut, and curled to her side as she tried to protect herself from whatever was happening with the wailing horcrux. It seemed like hours had passed when she heard her name being called and worked diligently to open her eyes. Really, it had been seconds.

"Hermione, you're alright," Draco said from somewhere above her, crouching down on her level, and extending his hand. "But you need to get up. We can't stay here."

She reached shaky fingers up to grip his, and let him pull her haphazardly to her feet.

"S-sorry. I'm so shaken."

"It's alright, we can leave right now, if you like. I can Apparate us out of here. I've taken down the wards."

"No, no." She shook her head firmly. "We need to see what all the commotion was about."

Draco nodded, then turned to face his father, who was standing shell-shocked a ways away. "You need to stay right here until I come for you, is that clear? Don't step a foot into the Parlor; it isn't safe."

Lucius gave a slight incline of his head and then pressed himself against the wall, staring warily at the spot the snake had been.

Hermione and Draco headed resolutely towards the Parlor. They stopped dead in their tracks at the sight that greeted them.

"Oh gods," she said, inadvertently gripping Draco's arm. "Is he…"

Voldemort was there and he was peering down at a prone figure on the floor. It was Harry. The Death Eaters they had detained, save Bella and Selwyn, were now joined by the Death Eaters from the school that each had a wand pointed at Daphne, Theo, Blaise, Ron, and a very distressed and crying Ginny.

"Bellatrix," Voldemort called. "Check on the boy." Bellatrix complied immediately with his demand. "Is he dead?"

"Yes, my Lord. You've defeated him."

Voldemort broke out in a hideous smile. "Ah, the Boy Who Lived, finally came to die. Poetic, really."

"NO!" Hermione yelled, raising her wand at the dark wizard.

"Hermione," Draco breathed, rushing to her side.

"Ah, this one again." Voldemort gave her an uninterested once over. "She keeps coming back, doesn't she?"

"Resilient, Mudblood filth," Bellatrix spat. "Like a cockroach, she thrives on."

"Thanks largely to your nephew," Voldemort observed, turning his attention to Draco, who placed a protective arm over Hermione's. "Young Draco, we were all very displeased to find that you'd left us. Especially given the way you'd proved your value."

"Those days are over," Draco said stiffly.

"We've destroyed your horcruxes," Hermione taunted. "All of them. You're not so indestructible now."

"Hermione," Draco warned.

Voldemort's face contorted with rage while Bellatrix looked on adoringly, very near to worshiping him. "But I've killed your savior," he snarled. "There is no hope left for you."

"As long as we are left to fight, there is hope," she argued.

"Well, then, it would seem I would be remiss to let you remain standing." With a swoosh of his wand, a black spell shot forth and headed straight for her. Unsure if a mere Protego would work, she dropped to the floor and rolled out of the way, sitting immediately up to cast a Bombarda.

Voldemort deflected it easily and was already throwing another curse their way when a swirl of white lights billowed, and curled around the room. Voldemort stopped in his motions as he watched Order members appear around them, snatching their captured friends from their captors. She was surprised to see Snape and Slughorn appear. Snape was the enemy, wasn't he? Her befuddled mind couldn't process it.

Shacklebolt materialized right in front of them and turned to look at Draco and Hermione.

"You're too late," Hermione raged. "He's dead. Harry's dead."

He nodded, but surprisingly he didn't seem to accept defeat. Instead, he raised his wand and a purple spell shot out straight towards Voldemort. Chaos ensued. Voldemort immediately erected a wispy, white shield and pointed his wand to the Chandelier that hung in the middle of the room, blasting it to bits and sending shards of crystal towards the Auror. Tonks began dueling Bellatrix in earnest. Bill took on Yaxley and Nott, immediately transfiguring the elder Death Eater into a sea urchin then turning his attention to the other. Ginny and Daphne were being closed in by Greyback and Selwyn. Hermione lifted her wand and cast a spell on the unsuspecting werewolf, putting him in a body bind. Blaise cast a Stupefy at the frozen wizard and he erupted into a thousand pieces.

Blaise shot her a smile. "Good looking out, Commander Granger." Hermione could hardly summon the energy to return his smile.

The sharp crystal that was coming dangerously close to them, was transfigured by Kingsley into harmless snowflakes but he was quickly becoming overwhelmed.

To her left, Draco was casting spells and blocking them should a wayward one come their way. "Hermione," he called. "We need to get out of here. It's over, we've lost."

"I...I don't, I can't," she trailed off weakly. "We can't leave. We're still fighting."

"It's over," he repeated gravely. "You have no more fight left in you."

"But Draco." She dropped her wand hand and slumped her shoulders. "I can't live in a world where Voldemort wins."

A blast of magic rushed towards them and Draco jumped over to Hermione, knocking her to the floor. She peeked over Draco's shoulder to see Shacklebolt limping, his robes riddled with blood. Voldemort's face was one of sadistic pleasure. White hot fury burned blazing in Hermione and she shot up from the floor, brandishing her wand with a flourish and yelling out a spell. "SAGITTO JACTUS!" Arrows sprouted from the tip of her wand heading straight to Voldemort. He'd been distracted at first but heard the arrows coming, and actually had to dodge to miss them, but one still hit home, gouging him in the abdomen.

She smiled smugly.

"Really, Granger? An archaic Quidditch spell like that?" She shrugged her shoulders. "You know he's going to waste no time killing us now?"

She looked over to where he stood, having just dislodged the arrow and raising his snake-like eyes to stare daggers at her. But behind him, something caught her eye. There was a movement and she saw a flash of a red jumper.

"It can't be," she breathed.

Draco followed her line of vision and his jaw dropped when he saw Harry getting up to his feet. "My, my, he really is the-boy-who-doesn't-die." He smiled crookedly.

Voldemort had been raising his wand and readying a curse to throw when he saw their stunned looks and turned around to see what had shocked them so.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry cried just as an angry looking Voldemort hurled the killing curse towards him.

Their spells collided and formed a singular conduit thanks to the Priori Incantatem Hermione knew they had experienced before. A jet of green and red light exploded out of their wands, meeting in the middle to a form white, hot light. All around them, the fighting had stopped for a moment as they watched the two wizards duel, but it started once more thanks to a renegade curse from Bellatrix. The green light hit Tonks in the chest and she crumpled to the floor. Not Tonks! her mind cried.

An angry Daphne set out across the room, sending jinx after jinx as quick as she'd ever wielded them, to the dark witch. She felt a wave of blackness creep up her mind and she realized the potions had worn off. She felt dizzy and could hardly stand on her own two feet after everything she'd endured and the death she was witnessing.

She watched with trepidation, her eyes darting back between the two duels, unable to focus on anything else, including her impending syncope. Harry's red light seemed to be edging closer to Voldemort's wand, making progress little by little.

Daphne successfully landed a paralysis charm on Bellatrix who stood with a look of shock on her face. Sensing an opportunity and longing for revenge, Hermione raised her wand one more time, leveling it at her tormentor and casting a nonverbal Confringo. She watched with satisfaction as Bellatrix erupted in the Parlor, flying in every which way.

Hermione's legs gave way, but by some miracle, she didn't hit the floor. Her head was cradled against a firm chest and she looked up to see Draco staring down at her.

"Look Hermione. You'll want to see this."

With the last bit of strength she could muster she looked over just in time to see Harry's spell collide with Voldemort, freezing him in place before eating away at the dark wizard and disintegrating him into many pieces that swiftly disappeared into nothing.

It was over.

They had won.

"Draco," she rasped, barely audible to his ears. "D-don't forget...your father."

He rolled his eyes. "Typical Hermione; always looking out for someone else." All around them in the ruined Parlor between the dangerously crumbling walls, cheers erupted and the remaining Death Eaters put their hands up in surrender. "It's done, finally." Draco said, surveying his ruined home. "Now can I take you home?" He looked down, only to discover she'd already passed out in his arms.