Chapter 14 Mystery Man

Authors note: So yeah I'm doing a 7th year. Enjoy!

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Once the Dark Mark was removed from the sky, Hagrid worked up the courage to move the body.

McGonagall was the first to speck up. "Students, a great tragedy has happened but we must all return to our common rooms. All classes and end of year exams will be cancelled." Tears were rolling down her face as she looked one once at Hagrid.

No one cheered that testing was canceled. No one smiled or even clapped. The courtyard was in tears as students started to file out. Harry continued to kneel by the area Dumbledore once rested. Ginny and Ron went to see their brother in the hospital wing.

They were the only ones left. "Harry…" Hermione took a few steps forwards and sat down beside him. He broke his gaze from the grass to look at her. No tears were leaking from his eyes but the pain you could see within them was undeniable.

"I was right in a way." A wicked smile took the place of Harry's frown. "Draco was a Death Eater. Or should I say is." He let a soft chuckle escape his lips.

Hermione felt her throat dry at the news. She couldn't understand why he had this effect on her. "Did he … was he …?"

"No. It was Snape. Draco was lowering his wand. But Snape finished it. It was always Snape." Hermione let out a silent breath. Her strange meeting got her thinking. Maybe Draco wasn't as bad as everyone thought. Just maybe.

"Harry we should go inside. The funeral should be tomorrow." He nodded his head as he stood up, still clutching some kind of locket.

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Hermione sat with Harry in the back row as Dumbledore's body was carried to the casket. So many people were crying. People who didn't even know Dumbledore as good as she did or Harry. She looked over and saw the struggle on his face. Why did he always have to be strong? It's okay to cry for a loved one. Especially someone who cared greatly for Harry.

"We have gathered here today to mourn the loss of a professor, headmaster, and friend." Hermione didn't recognize the minister. She didn't care. Her mind was swirling with the possibilities of next year as she reached up to rub her aching neck.

"Ow!" She yelled in a hushed whisper.

Harry broke his death glare at a few other students to look at her questionably.

"Nothing." She however continued to touch the tender area of skin. Was she scratched? She would have to check later.

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The wind ripped through her hair as she joined Harry by the Astronomy tower railing.

"I never realized how beautiful Hogwarts was."

She copied him. The sun was just setting beyond the mountains as the remainder of light sprinkled over the lake. Sending flashes every which way.

"Yeah." A small brown owl flew past the tress and into the clouds.

"It's not real.

"Hmm?"

"The horcrux." Harry handed her the locket. She fiddled with it between her fingers before opening it. Allowing a small piece of paper to fall into her palm.

She carefully unfolded the fragile paper. "To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet you match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B. Who is R.A.B?"

"No idea."

"Well I'm sure we can figure that out."

"No Hermione. I won't be returning next year. I must finish this job Dumbledore has given me. I can't have anyone else die for me."

"Honestly Harry, sometimes you can be really thick. Do you really think you can do this alone?"

"Well…"

"Ron and I are coming with you." Hermione shifted over and nudged Harry's shoulder with hers. "You know he's okay with it. Ron. But if I were you I would keep the snogging to a minimum around him. She is his sister."

It was the first-time Harry let out a true laugh in what seemed like forever. His presence could either lighten or darken a room. Similar to the way James was, or at least described.

"Thanks Hermione." He grabbed her hand with watery eyes.

She didn't know how long they stood there without moving or talking. Just staring off into the distance.

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Hours later Hermione was in the bathroom, looking at the mysterious holes on her neck when a tapping came from a window inside the girl's dormitory. She huffed in frustration at not knowing where the bug like bite came from. Quickly she ran into the room rather annoyed with the consent tapping.

She came face to face with a truly gorgeous owl. It continued to tap on the window as his blue eyes locked with hers, it also continued to flutter its great black wings.

Why did that remind her of something. Still slightly stunned she pushed open the window, allowing the owl access. It hooted in appreciation before promptly sticking out his right leg.

She quickly withdrew the letter as she ran to get some treats. The owl ate them elegantly but decided to bite her finger last minute.

"Hey!" The only response was a wink before the owl flew out of the window. She still couldn't believe an owl just winked. The owner must be truly amazing.

Her eyes drew back to the dirty letter that still seemed to shine.

Dear HG,

Please do not try and send a letter back. The owl is all I need for conformation that you are still living and well. I am truly sorry about the lose you and Hogwarts experienced. I hope you will be strong enough to forgive and more past this. But please be careful. I know of the journey you plan on taking with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Your safety is my number one priority. I'm sorry this letter contains so little and is rather confusing. Please do not try and figure out who I am. Your secrets will always be safe with me.

Always yours.

Hermione stared down at the letter in complete disbelief. This person knew far more than she was willing to be comfortable with. His small neat hand writing seemed so familiar to her. Her mind flashed to Snape due to the potions book but that seemed completely ridiculous. Then who was it? Why did they care for her? She was slightly offended.

She didn't care about the writers wishes. She had to know who sent it. He or she said keeping her safe was important but that could be a trick or lie. The letter could be from Voldemort himself. Even though she highly doubted that.

Best not to tell Harry and Ron though. She careful stuck the letter away in her trunk, knowing soon enough she would not be returning to this school till after the war. The thought saddens her even though she was doing the right thing.

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"Hermione come on the trains are leaving soon."

"Okay coming." She stood facing the Great Hall. Thinking it was her last time. Hogwarts would always have a place in her heart. It introduced her to the world she was made for. The world she was meant to be in.

She cast one last look before turning away. Harry, Ron, and Ginny only steps ahead of her. She plastered a fake smile on her face before joining her friends.

They took a compartment towards the back of the train. Away from all the prying eyes.

"So Harry, you'll be coming to the burrow for the wedding, right?" Ron was just trying to break the silence.

"Oh I don't know if I'll have time."

"Mate you have to. Mum would kill you if you didn't."

The compartment filled with silence once more. The tension only grew as the train continued.

Suddenly Harry's hand rested against her thigh. She looked up at him to see a small smile gracing his lips. "Hermione it will be okay."

She nodded her head even though she wasn't thinking about the war. She was thinking about that bloody letter. It's only been a day but the letter was like a constant reminder of something she just couldn't place.

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Hour went by consisting of useless chatter. About the wedding, burrow, Voldemort and the only one that seemed to spark her attention. Draco Malfoy.

Every time Ron insulted him it was like a flame burning brighter inside her chest. Maybe it was because he kissed her only days ago or maybe it was the fact he didn't lie to her. The change in character on that horrible day allowed Hermione to see a glimpse of his good side.

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"Draco honey, why won't you tell me?" Even in times of war Narcissa could be agonizing.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"So you found her." Narcissa clasped her hands together in excitement. "Draco." A little more serious this time. "Your birthday is only three months away… you know what will happen if you haven't started the bonding process."

"Yes mother." He snapped rather rudely. "We have completed the first mating ritual, so don't worry, your coward son won't die… yet."

Narcissa was not accepting his tone and chose to ignore it. "So when do I get to meet her?"

The bafflement on her son's face was priceless in a time like this. "Please mother, she will never be mine." He sat down with his head in his hands. "I can't be thinking about her when I'm about to see the Dark Lord." He growled in frustration.

"I only have one question."

He nodded his head slowly as his hands graced his hair.

"Do you love her?"

Draco starred, stone cold at the women who loved him dearly. He already knew the answer but would his mother wish for a lie?

"Yes… and I always will." He growled in frustration once more. Falling into a pit of hopelessness.

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"Yes Lucius I heard of the work your son did but will that be enough, He failed to kill Dumbledore."

"My Lord please, Dumbledore is still dead."

"Silence!"

Lucius stepped back in fear, leaving his only son to take on the Dark Lord. "It does not matter Dumbledore is dead. Your son failed! Just like you, a coward." His voice slashed through the room like ice as those red eyes locked with Draco's. "Legilimens!"

An attack filtered through Draco's mind. He could feel the Dark lord trying to break down his walls. But he was careful with what he showed. Calling Granger a mudblood, making fun of Potter, finishing the vanishing cabinet, and disarming Dumbledore. Suddenly five simple words slipped through his barrier as the Dark Lord pulled back in rage.

'I have to do this….' The words still echoed around his head as he stepped back to regain his composure. He could feel his heart beat increasing as Voldemort raised his wand without a second thought.

"Well, I guess I just have to do this…. Crucio!" Voldemort laughing was heard in the background as Draco's body began thrashing against the floor.

A hot spark went straight into his heart and pulsed though his veins. Increasing with every beat. The sizzling sound of his burning skin smashing against the cold stone floor could be heard throughout the room filled with laughter. One last blow ended his pain as he passed out cold. Feeling the flames erupting all around him. He knew in this moment, things had to change.

Meanwhile Hermione has returned home and was sleeping peacefully until horrid images flashed through her brain. Sirius dying, Harry falling off his broom, Hagrid being attacked, Dumbledore's lifeless body, Voldemort's red eyes. Suddenly ghostly screams escaped her mouth as she gripped on to her sheets. She could see Harry and Ron's last breath escaping their lips. It wasn't until she looked down to find herself holding the wand, louder screamed formed.

Louder and louder they grew as her bed started to heat up. It was like she was thrown into a fire with no escape as her whole body broke into cold sweats.

"Hermione! Honey! Please wake up!"

Her black eyes flashed open as she met the scared once of her parents. Her mouth immediately closed and her eyes widen from her parents worried expressions.

"Honey," Mrs. Granger wiped her sweaty cheek. "Your eyes are black."

Hermione stopped clutching her sheets for only a second. "Wh… what?"