Hi guys, Welcome to the 11th Chapter of Dark is all that's left! Wasn't too happy with the 10th Chapter, yet I could put out the best that came that day. I'll try to make up for it. I'd love to know what sort of an ending you guys are imagining for our Anti-Heroine of sorts. There's quite a lot going on with different characters. I know it's a gamble having written just a one-shot before this fic, I don't really have the skill to do justice to all of them. *fingers crossed*
Anyways, let's not wait further and dive right in to the next chapter.
All the usual disclaimers and warnings still stand. HP universe belongs to the almighty JK Rowling. Puny beasts like me indulge in writing non profit fanfic for entertainment from time to time.
1st November,1997 - Acid Factory
With careful precision, Hermione finished mixing up muggle chemicals in what someone could call a crystal cauldron carefully mounted on a stand. A sidewards glance made her smirk, she could see the broken professor hanging from his usual shackles tied to the overhead beam muttering away.
"Just a little more wait, Sevvy!" crooned the dark witch, "We're almost done. After all it's for Lily, you wouldn't wanna disappoint her now, do you?"
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen Sevvy! You were the only smart one to look through all the facade, yet you played both sides to be on the safe side. Well who knew this game of chess would become something else with addition of a rogue pawn! Fear not, I'll give you as much, you have been such fun to break these few weeks, I'll spare you one person whom you were supposed to care for. Time to get cracking, Dumbledore's waiting!" finished Hermione as she let out a manic cackle that haunted the very walls of the damned Factory, her fortress and safe house.
Same Day, Hogwarts
The preparations for the last rites were almost done, people already started flocking Hogsmeade in anticipation of what one could only consider the last chance to see the illustrious Headmaster, the one who stood against Grindelwald himself and probably considered Merlin reincarnated in flesh as Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore being lowered to his grave. The gates to Hogwarts still remained closed for outsiders yet the crowd started to build up at the gates. The burial site was close to the Black Lake and edge of Forbidden Forest. The large trees give almost a vantage point for anyone who wants to lurk in the shadows. Luckily, the average wizard, even Death eaters, consider it beneath themselves to sully their robes hiding in trees like common animals. Unluckily for others, Hermione wasn't most wizard or witch, and her disillusionment skills left nothing more than a ripple in the air. It gave her the perfect view yet hidden from almost every set of eyes gathered at the grand event.
Everything was in place, now she just had to wait for the perfect opportunity and chaos would ensue. Patience was a hard earned virtue for the dark witch, her lips quivering with anticipation as she heard the gates creak open. Hundreds of people started entering but were limited to a distance of about 500 yards from the burial site, the closer space reserved for the school board, ministry, student body and other dignitories. In short, all the important ones get front row seat to the event.
The student body started occupying the back row seats, all except Harry, Ron and Ginny. They sat in the front row, two mourning the loss of their beloved Headmaster and one shedding crocodile tears yet preening like a peacock with the attention she was getting as Harry's girlfriend. Well now was not the time... for her to die, so Hermione focussed towards the other people joining the front rows. Auror force was handling the security for the event and naturally Rufus Scrimgeour and Amelia Bones were present donning black robes to show their condolences.
Half past Seven, finally Headmaster's body dressed in whites was rested on the makeshift white marble altar, and everyone from Minerva to the other Heads of Houses to a few ministry people to a few from the student body shared their memories of the eccentric yet lovable old Headmaster. There wasn't a person who didn't have tears in their eyes by the end of it, save one witch, the wrongs she faced knowingly at the hands of some, unknowingly at the hands of others who refused to believe her, the Headmaster being one of them, couldn't bring herself to shed tears for the man, she literally outwitted and killed. Her eyes shone, with excitement of the chaos that was begging for release, yet she waited for the opportune moment to strike.
She could feel the tell-tale signs of apparition deep inside the forest, which could mean one thing. That once more she had to improvise, likely it would be the death-eaters coming in to spoil the party. Oh well, let it not be said that Hermione Granger was a spoil-sport.
She was proven correct as a dozen or so wizards in death-eater garbs attacked the gathering, spell-fire coursing through the forest as they came into view of the people, aurors tried to rush in to the situation, but the panic amongst the crowd created enough chaos to render them almost stuck towards the back. Amelia, Rufus and all the Hogwarts staff started returning fire, Harry too leapt into action, Ginny quietly slipping through the crowd back towards the castle. Ron helped Harry but was soon caught in the thigh by a stray cutting hex and was out of action for the time being. The Death-eaters finally huddled close to each other trading spell-fire.
Hermione smirked as they were close enough to the altar for her plan to almost work. "Time to call in the star-performer" whispered the Dark witch as she remotely activated the portkey to bring in her captive to the site. The ex-potions professor was in a daze as he felt a calm feeling enter his mind egging him on to charge towards the bunch of masked wizards and press the button attached to his wrist. He felt he had to do it. Lily wanted him to do it. The once brilliant mind now broken missed the tell-tale signs of being placed under the imperius as he ran towards the altar.
As soon as Severus Snape reached the edge of trees everyone was shocked to see him rush into battle without a wand. Yet Lucius felt something off about his long time friend as he finished picking up Dumbledore's wand rested on top of his robes. Just as they were about to rush back to the forest, Severus yelled on the top of his voice, "This is payback! Voldemort!" Everyone was confused at his demeanor, yet moments later he looked towards Harry "FOR Lily!" and a mechanical click sealed the fate of all the gathered death-eaters including Severus, as he smiled a smile, as spontaneous combustion took place in the explosive tubes attached on his vest. The vicinity was blown to smithereens as green fire burned every living being in the 10 meter radius of the altar.
Her plan had been to destroy Albus's body enough to make a burial impossible, yet she got an even better deal. Snape or rather she took care of the remaining Death eaters along with incinerating Dumbledore.
"I thought of just letting you go with a bang! Severus! Looks like fate made you a Hero afterall" smirked the Dark witch as she guaged the scene for survivors. Barring a few injuries and burns, no one was hurt, not that she cared for any of the wizarding sheep. Her precious chew toy Ron was lying unconscious near the lake, yet it wouldn't just do to show her hand now for a petty plaything. She'd get him next time.
Satisfied at the carnage, she quietly got down from the tree as she moved along disillusioned inside the forest to the edge of the Hogwarts wards. Little did she realize that a water beetle perched on the same tree caught on to her hair as the explosion took place, and stayed there once it realized just whom it had found.
With her signature wisp of black smoke she disapparated back to the factory, with an unsuspecting passenger.
A/N: I know this is a small chapter but it seemed the perfect point to stop. Don't curse me a lot, I can't help it, the updates have been irregular, and would continue to be so, but rest assured, this won't go on Hiatus or Abandon.
As always, please read and review. The more you review the better I can write. :D
Cheers!