Chapter 14 – That Day
The next day at breakfast Harry, myself, Dean, Luna and Neville sat together and away from the others. We really didn't eat or talk to each other. The rest of the students seemed to know to leave us alone as well, which made us seem even more alone.
It was a welcome relief when it was time for the rest of the school to head off to their classes. Luna said she'd join us later and she left. Harry, Neville, Dean and I just sat in the hall and watched everyone leave. We were just about to get up and leave when McGonagall came over to us and sat down.
"May I join you?" she asked.
It was so uncharacteristic of her that at first we were stunned, but finally we nodded. She folded her hands in front of her on the table and gave each of us a sad smile.
"You know, I have lost many friends over the years after Voldemort first appeared," she said softly, "Many I had even known from when I was much younger here in Hogwarts," she smiled slightly and waved her hand around indicating the school in general, "Seeing you children hit by all of this at so young an age reminds me of what I went through."
"I thought I might offer a thought on how to deal with this," she paused a moment, sighed and continued, "It was quite some time before I accepted what had happened to them and moved on with my life. Of course you lot are much younger so the pain must feel overwhelming, but I can tell you that it will never go away, but it will fade over time."
She stood to leave and paused before going, "I should caution you however. Soon your grief may turn into anger and hatred. Your anger will not help them or yourselves. It is important to remember them, not to revenge them."
With that she quickly strode from the hall leaving us behind to ponder her words. She was right of course. We couldn't get blinded by our anger when it arrived. I looked at my friends and gave them each a small, sad smile. We sat in silence for a few moments before a sudden thought hit me. I remembered my encounter with the Malfoy's when the Aurors and The Order raided the Death Eater hideout.
"Harry? Why were you so focused on that tea cup that Draco had?" I asked turning to him.
Harry looked at all of us before replying, "It was a horcrux," he said. After receiving questioning looks from Dean and Neville he then spent several minutes telling them about horcruxes and Voldemort's interest in certain items. By the time he finished we all knew what Harry was about to say about the tea cup.
"The tea cup belonged to Helga Hufflepuff," he said, "I remember it from a story Dumbledore had told me about Voldemort or Riddle as he was known then, who had killed a witch and stolen a valuable tea cup. Voldemort had artifacts from each of the four founders and that was the only one Dumbledore or I hadn't destroyed yet."
"Did you…?" I asked looking at him hopefully.
"Yes I destroyed it," he nodded, "I used the same spell Dumbledore used to destroy Riddle's diary that Ginny had been given years ago."
"So does that mean there are no more of the horcruxes left?" Neville asked, "So he's vulnerable then?"
Harry shrugged, "I'm pretty sure there are no more left," he answered, "But he's always been vulnerable. It's just now he has no more horcruxes left to keep the breaking up of his soul."
"Harry?" Neville spoke after a moment, "Could that be why was he so interested in not damaging or destroying the castle? I remember when he attacked at Christmas he had said that."
"Not really. This castle is the most powerful source of magic in the wizarding world," Harry said, "Dumbledore had mentioned that to me before he was killed. Voldemort knew that if he could control this castle, he would be nearly impossible to defeat. The horcruxes would be replaced, but not necessarily right away if he took over the castle."
We all were silent as that information settled in.
"What's going to happen now Harry?" Dean asked him quietly after a few moments.
"It ends."
At that moment my stomach twisted into so many knots I thought I might throw-up my breakfast. Harry had said that with the conviction of someone who truly knew they were ready, which meant his time with me maybe very limited.
"When?" Neville asked finally.
Harry looked at me when he spoke, "Soon."
He was right of course. I found out later that Voldemort knew the end had come and that he needed to face Harry before he could regroup and rebuild his army of Death Eaters. I also found out that Harry, with the help of Professor Lupin, had discovered Voldemort's location. Harry was content to simply wait, as he knew that Voldemort was going to come to the castle where Harry would be waiting for him.
The last day of school came and went with the usual excitement of the forthcoming break and the last feast. The House Points had been tallied and the Quidditch trophy was ready to be awarded. Well no surprise to me, Gryffindor had won the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup as well. The feast was excellent and the conversations were excited and louder than usual.
McGonagall then made her year end speech, which was short and pointed out the highlights and lows of the past year. She wished everyone a great summer and looked forward to everyone's return in the fall. Then with a wave of her hands she sent us off to bed and finish packing before morning. Of course, I was long since packed and ready to go. I was very excited to finally live on my own with Harry and join the wizarding world as an adult, not as a student.
Harry on the other hand was strangely withdrawn and detached from what was going on around him. Knowing what I know now it would have occurred to me what was about to happen, but I wasn't even thinking about it then.
The morning came of That Day and the main hallway was stuffed with everyone's trunks, cages and other paraphernalia. Several students were getting picked up by their parents and were staying in the Great Hall until they came. So I left Harry with Dean and Neville playing wizard's chess (Harry losing of course) to help see the rest of the school off at the train station.
Since Harry and I were leaving with The Order we were to remain behind after the students left. Shortly before I left to go to the station, The Order showed up in the forms of The Minister and Mrs. Weasley, Lupin and Tonks. Lupin informed us that he was going to live with Harry and I at Grimmauld Place.
As Head Girl my last duty was to make sure the rest of the students got to the train and safely away. If I thought the chaos of everyone leaving for Christmas break was horrible, then I had a new definition of it for the summer break. I thought everything looked neat and tidy up at the castle, but was rendered into chaos at the train. Hagrid and I somehow still managed to get everyone and everything on the train before it blew its final whistle.
Finally after the last student was on and all the trunks were stowed did the final whistle blow and train pulled out of Hogsmeade Station. Hagrid and I waved at the train cars as they slowly passed by picking up speed. He and I stood at the platform and watched as the train turned the corner and out of sight…
… just as a dull thump sounded and we both looked and our jaws dropped in shock at the sign of The Dark Mark shown above Hogwarts.
I don't really remember exactly how I got back to the castle, but I do remember I practically broke the front door down when I arrived. I threw open the door and it immediately recoiled on me, nearly knocking me down. I heard a loud thump of a body hitting the floor and carefully looked around the door I saw the black-clad figure of a Death Eater lying unconscious on the floor.
"That was brilliant Hermione!" I heard Dean shout to my left.
I turned and saw him come running up and looking a worse for wear. His robes were tattered and there was dirt or dust smeared on his face.
"What's happened?" I asked looking around quickly.
Dean's face became hard as stone, "Voldemort's here," he said, "He attacked the castle with the few remaining Death Eaters. Professor McGonagall and the others are fighting them now."
My eyes widened in surprise then in panic, "Where's Harry?"
Dean took a step back, "I'm sorry Hermione," he said and sounded it, "But he said I shouldn't tell you."
I grabbed each of his arms in a vice grip forcing him to look at me, "Dean where is Harry?" I asked with more forcefulness in my voice.
Dean closed his eyes and shook his head, "I can't," he said, "He swore me to secrecy."
"Tell me where Harry is now!" I shouted at him and gripped his arms tighter.
His head leaned away from me in surprise at my tone and he looked as if he didn't want to tell me, "He's… he's…," he stuttered and then I gave him a piercing glare and he finally said, "He's gone after him. He was headed towards Hagrid's."
I quickly turned and raced away, leaving Dean at the door looking as if he had betrayed his best friend. As I ran the thought that Harry was facing Voldemort turned my blood cold as ice and a wave of panic began to hit me. I ran around a corner and was stopped short by a strong pair of arms.
"Hermione!" Mr. Weasley said, "No you can't…"
"Let me go! I have to help him!" I shout and squirmed in his arms.
He shook his head, "There's nothing you can do," he said, "He must do this on his own."
"NO!" I shouted.
"Hermione…," his comment was quickly cut-off from an attack by another Death Eater.
He turned to face the attacker and I was able to rip myself from his grip.
"Wait! Hermione!" he shouted at my back.
I ignored him. I kept going, ignoring everything going on around me. I raced out of the castle and down the hill leading to Hagrid's hut. I stopped about halfway trying to find where Harry was. The only thing I saw was what was left of Hagrid's hut. It had been totally destroyed, almost as if it had been opened by a can-opener.
Then I heard the unmistakable sounds of magical combat coming from the right. I quickly headed that way knowing in my gut I was headed in the right direction. I ran through the trees, scratching myself up and came out to see Neville and Severus Snape fighting amongst the trees lining the walkway. Knowing that Neville was in trouble I rushed to help.
I was too late though…
Snape and Neville apparently had been dueling for sometime due to the amount of damage around them. However, Snape had pinned down Neville behind a large rock and when Snape looked up and saw me coming, he quickly made a few spells that forced Neville to move from his hiding spot. Neville sprang up and made a move away for his own safety, but he didn't move fast enough.
"Avada Kedarva!"
Neville fell to the ground hard, eyes open, and gone from this world. I stopped in my tracks in shock at the sight. I barely recovered in time to avoid a spell sent my way from Snape. I threw myself behind a tree as it went by. I gripped my wand tight and peaked out. I saw Snape running away from me towards the woods.
I stood and went over to Neville. I rolled him over and closed his eyes. I took off my Order cloak and draped it over him.
"Goodbye, my friend," I whispered sadly as I stood.
I looked down the path where Snape had taken off and was retreating. Suddenly my anger took over and I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"SNAPE!"
He stopped in his tracks and looked back at me. With little thought as to my safety I sprinted after him. He quickly made a decision and took off into the woods. I knew why he went into the woods and slowed as I approached the edge of the tree line.
"Why if it isn't Miss. Granger," came the voice of Severus Snape, "Come to avenge the death of Longbottom? He was such a klutz."
My face went red in anger, but I forced myself to remain calm, "No, I've come to stop you," I finally replied.
"You mean try and stop me," he said in a tone dripping with self-absorption.
"No," I snapped back, "I mean to stop you."
I heard a chuckle come from the woods. Then I heard something else coming from off to my left. It almost sounded like spells being used. I crouched down and started moving to my left to see what the noise was. I knew Snape couldn't see me, but I wasn't sure. As fast as I could I moved left and still looked back trying to find Snape.
I didn't have to look far. We both spotted each other at the same time and reacted in that same moment as well.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Reducto!"
My disarming spell missed him by a mile and his obliterating spell destroyed a tree six feet away from me. I threw myself to the ground as I was covered in wood splinters and leaves. Quickly recovering I kept moving to my left and heard the sounds of Snape moving in the woods, but I couldn't tell where he was.
Risking injury, I took refuge behind a large oak tree and peaked out. I didn't see Snape, but the sounds were much louder now. Then I saw a flash of black moving to my right and seeing a chance I quickly dashed to my left, using the trees for cover, and finally wound up behind a large stack of rocks. I shot a few spells in his general direction and crouched back down.
The sounds were much louder here and turning my focus and head from Snape I looked in the direction of the noise. What I saw sent my stomach into my feet in horror and fear.
Harry Potter and Voldemort were dueling each other in a small clearing.
I was forced to duck down when a spell hit the rocks and I was showered with dust and shards. I wiped the dust out of my face and took one more look at Harry.
"The time has come Granger!" Snape shouted, "You and your friend Mr. Potter will finally know what true meaning of power is!"
"Maybe and maybe not," I shouted back trying to locate him from his voice, "But no matter what you still won't be the power behind anything, but your own twisted mind."
"You're wrong," he retorted, "My master will reward me most handsomely when he takes over."
My mouth quirked upwards with an ironic grin and shook my head, "You of all people should know that Voldemort never shares any of his power with anyone. Ever."
There was silence coming from him so I knew he was on the move. Knowing I wasn't safe in my spot and cautiously moved to my right. Then I heard a twig snap not more than ten feet from me and to my left. Quickly turning I sent several spells in that direction before quickly taking cover behind several trees grouped together.
When a spell took off the limb of one the trees I was hiding behind, I knew that he was still moving. I began to try and think of a plan to defeat him, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out what to do.