A/N: Look at that! Before 5pm EST even!

Chapter Thirty-Five

Sitting through Charms class that Friday was pretty much a washout. Hermione had no clue what the professor was talking about. All she could think about was the plan for that night and waking up with Severus that morning.

Severus felt the same. He knew that Draco would be coming around four that afternoon to pick up the now imbued chess piece and discuss any last minute changes or concerns. So distracted was he that he even let his last class go five minutes early, just to get the ignorant, idiotic imbeciles out of his classroom.

It gave him five unexpected minutes to think about Hermione.

Waking up with someone else in his bed had taken a moment to adjust to, but less time than he would have expected.

When he woke, he found a slightly snoring, pretty little witch in his bed. Her hair was all over his pillow, and she took more than her fair share of the bed and covers.

But she had one hand fisted in his nightshirt and a leg thrown over his. Somehow, that made it alright.

Her sleepy "good morning" and a kiss didn't hurt either.

They had had a quick breakfast, both trying to avoid bringing up the mission and the risks they were all going to face.

With a fierce hug, she promised she would see him before he left.

He knew that when tonight came, she would be his bedrock. His beacon. Tonight would be the first battle where it wasn't just about the objective or some misguided sense of assuaging his own guilt.

Tonight would be about hope, and the Light, and coming home to Hermione.

He went into his office and left the lights out as he sat in his chair. Severus picked up the white king, who had been pacing on his desk. They both regarded each other somberly.

"Are we going to succeed tonight?"

The white king shrugged.

"I have a feeling if we don't, we'll die trying."

The king agreed.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door.

It was Hermione.

She came in quietly without needing to say a word. She pulled a chair around his desk and sat next to him, holding his hand as they waited for Draco. Softly, their breathing settled, and his hand brushed over their joined ones as the minutes passed by.

Soon after, another person slipped in.

"Is everyone in place?" asked Draco.

"As much as they can be without arousing the suspicions of the students. The prefects who are in Dumbledore's Army," he said with only the slightest derision, "are planning on having a large evening of frivolity to keep the students in one location. Nothing has been told to the Ministry, for obvious safety reasons. Once they know, everyone knows, and we don't know who we can trust. The Order members are scattered throughout the castle. They each have one of the enchanted Galleons for communication. Patronuses would be too risky."

Severus stood and subtly released Hermione's hand from beneath the desk as he went to pace the room. "Draco and I will be going into the meeting alone. I'm hoping we will be there less than an hour, but we can't know for sure." He looked up as if just noticing Draco. "We need to go to the headmistress."

The two students flanked the head of Slytherin as they passed though the unnaturally silent hallways. The other students were not meant to gather for some time, and yet, the castle was eerily subdued. If it was sentient, it was waiting with its breath held.

They reached the office and found a few others inside. Kingsley, Remus, and Tonks were waiting to see the two off before heading to their own positions.

This was definitely different for Severus than it had been working with Dumbledore. He didn't really know what to say to them. No one had ever been there before, and he couldn't even blame it on Hermione since not everyone knew about them.

They discussed a few more points, the king settled, safely snug, in a deep black pocket, and the two faux Death Eaters prepared to leave for the secret passageway.

As they went, Hermione yelled, "Wait!"

They both stopped and turne, Draco with one hand on the door.

"I love you," she told Severus with fear and worry written all over her face.

His eyes flicked to the startled audience in the room before he answered slowly, "And I love you."

And then they were gone.

~~HGSS~~

Draco led his professor for a change as they headed up to Malfoy Manor.

This was rather fortuitous, in Snape's opinion. One of his main concerns had been that he would be somewhere with which he was unfamiliar. The home of the Malfoys had been known to him since the first night he took the vow to Voldemort. Interesting that it was here that might be his last night in the presence of the Dark Lord as well.

His outward appearance was calm as he ascended the front walk, as menacing as ever. Severus was impressed with young Draco's façade of nonchalance as well. Perhaps there was something to be gained from the genes of Black and Malfoy after all.

Coming in the door, it was apparent they were the last to arrive.

The house held about thirty people, all in casual attire, but Severus could see Death Eater robes around the room, draped over chairs and hung on coat hooks. When the room's occupants saw the two new arrivals, conversation ceased as though someone had declared they loved Harry Potter.

"Where is Father?" asked Draco.

Someone tipped a head toward a back parlor.

"He's with him," said a man unknown to Snape as the two passed through. No one pulled a wand or spoke a word, although the tension was thick in the air. Every eye was on them, and no one moved.

Draco led the way through to where his father was. Judging by the treatment of the rest of the crowd, Draco was held in some sort of esteem. No one outright questioned why Snape had been allowed in, but the question was plainly there.

Entering the room, they saw Voldemort sitting at a small table while Lucius stood by the fire. Snape knew that once, this room had held the pair's pre-meeting chess game. Now, it seemed, this custom was no more.

He turned a lazy gaze to the duo as though they were the most expected thing in the world. "Draco…Ssseverus. Is there a reason you come before me?"

"We wanted to-," started Draco before he was brushed aside by his mentor.

"I understand that you have reason to believe that I no longer wish to be amongst you, as I was informed by…the message I was given a few months ago. I personally wanted to offer my aid, as I always have, Master, in ridding the world of the filth that is the Muggle-borns."

"Is that ssso? And what of the images I saw in your mind? What of your liaissson with the Granger girl?"

"A gift," he flawlessly lied. "One I have still kept on hand, should you wish to have her." It made him angry, even though he knew Voldemort would never so much as look at Hermione as long as Severus was alive.

Severus Snape stood tall and reserved as he withstood the interrogation from the Dark Lord. He was examined from top to bottom as his words were judged.

They appeared to pass muster. For now.

"I was displeased that you fell away from the fold, but a ssshepherd cannot put too much faith in his flock. Come," he instructed Snape as he dismissed Draco. "Play with me. Luciusss has felt queer about chess for a few weeks now and is no longer fit to play."

Severus could feel the white king sniggering. "Should Lucius be permitted to stay, then, if he will not deign to play with his Master?"

Feeding off Snape's words, Voldemort felt the sense of power rise within him. "Perhaps you are right. Lucius, leave us."

"But, My Lord, he cannot be trusted!"

"I am with my loyal servants and in your house, Lucius. Are you telling me that I cannot handle him, that he would be foolish enough to try something, or that your house is not secure for me?"

"Of course not, My Lord," said the elder Malfoy with the sneer in his tone that only the truly over-bred possessed.

As Voldemort watched Lucius go, Snape quickly grabbed the king in his handkerchief and swapped him for the white king on the table. When the Dark Lord turned back, it was obvious he had not seen what had transpired.

"Well then, let us play."

It had been some time since Severus had played against his former Master. It shamed him to know he could easily beat him if he so desired, but as Muggle cinema had once taught him, sometimes it was better to let the stronger player win.

As he watched the black and white pieces move around the board, in his mind, they became the major players in Severus's life. The black king of Voldemort against the white king of Dumbledore. There was Minerva against Lucius, the Order against the Death Eaters, and, for some time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione against Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.

Where did Severus fit?

Every strategy had to have its rogue. He wondered if he would be around to see the expression on Voldemort's face when he realized he was Tom Riddle again and had been manipulated by Snape once more.

One by one the pieces fell off the board until only a handful remained. Snape brought in his queen to threaten the white king, and as hoped, Voldemort moved the king one space to the side.

This dance continued for a few moments until Snape allowed himself to be beaten. He didn't know how long the king had to be touched in order to transfer the potion, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"Ah, Ssseverus, the better man will always triumph," hissed Voldemort, sliding the king into his own robes as a sordid trophy.

"Indeed, My Lord."

"And I have a surprise for you," said the man with an inhuman grin. "You have come on a night most fortuitous. Even young Draco did not know what tonight held in store."

Snape kept his face blank but raised a brow in question.

"That's what I like about you. Nothing fazes you. But let us see if this will. Tonight, we attack Hogwarts!"

A start flickered across Snape's face. It seemed Draco's instincts had been correct when he had informed Severus that they should have more security than planned in the school.

"I have no doubt you will succeed admirably, My Lord. They will suspect nothing," Severus said as they stood to rejoin the rest of the group.

"My servantsss," Voldemort proclaimed, "the prodigal son has returned! This is an omen that the night shall be ours, and by tomorrow, Hogwarts will be in my hands. And then…the Ministry!"

Snape gave a minute head shake to Draco, who whispered a wandless spell. "My Lord, when will we be leaving for the castle?"

The Dark Lord turned to him, and only Severus could see a brown spot in the middle of his forehead just disappearing.

The potion had worked.

Now hopefully Potter would too.

"Sssoon. Are we feeling impatient? Eager to retrieve the Mudblood? I can't say I blame you. I hear the heathens are worth keeping for a few things at least. Lucius, we have a few things to settle before the group is ready to depart. I want to ensure that Harry Potter is defeated by me and me alone. It is I who must ssslay the insolent brat and show the wizarding world once and for all who their real Master isss!"

Murmurs of "yes, My Lord" and "understood" were heard around the room. The men still looked warily at Snape as though he were a viper ready to strike. It seemed they were more cautious of him than they were of the Dark Lord himself. Perhaps because he was the unknown variable.

After a short time, the Dark Lord returned with Lucius in tow. They were ready.

As the Death Eaters donned their robes and headed outside to Apparate to the outskirts of Hogwarts, Severus used the moment to send a message to the Order.

Worked. Inc. approx 30, Hogwarts

The castle went instantly into a flurry of activity. There were at least thirty members just in the students' army. Ginny notified the six fifth-year prefects that it was time to make sure all the students were accounted for. One went to each of the four houses, since they were lucky enough to have one of the Slytherin prefects, and the other two began to tally up the students who were enjoying the evening in the large Room of Requirement. If they were quick, they would have all the younger students gathered there before the first wave of attacks began, although who knew how long they would be able to keep quiet on what was happening.

Members of the Order seemed to emerge from the very walls themselves. Suddenly Kingsley, Remus, Moody, the Weasleys, and others were by the vulnerable points of the castle. Hermione ran up the steps to Madam Pomfrey in the Infirmary, trailing several large boxes behind her.

"Madam Pomfrey," Hermione told the startled matron. "The castle is going to be under attack by Death Eaters in about fifteen minutes. I've come to help, and Lorrell will be here soon too. Here are extra supplies that Professor Snape and I made."

"But…but…no one told me anything!"

"I'm sorry," Hermione said earnestly. "I don't think they wanted any more people to know than had to. But we brought you everything you might need."

"Well," she replied, suddenly taking charge as only a stern medical woman could. "Let's see if you have. Open up the boxes now. Pip pip!"

As the two women unpacked supplies, Lorrell ran up the stairs, gasping for breath.

"They're here."

~~HGSS~~

Harry, Ron, and Ginny made sure most of the children were accounted for before they left the Room of Requirement. Harry and Ginny calmly explained what was happening so that the children didn't panic as much when they heard the commotion later. They assured them that the Death Eaters could not find them and hurt them. Everything would happen outside the walls, Harry Potter was going to protect them, and they should just try and be calm and listen to the older students.

After the kids agreed, they headed off to find the rest of the Order.

Harry was strangely emotionless. Ginny doubted he had actually come to terms with what had to be done. Although, there had to be a peace in finally facing that which you had almost been born to do. Harry had known for seven years, the rest of the world for sixteen years, that this day would come. The day when he had to face Voldemort, and only one would emerge alive.

How could he possibly expect to be the victor? Him? A scrawny seventeen-year-old who hadn't even found out he was magical until he was eleven?

But he had things of which the Dark Lord knew not. And they had given the Dark Lord something of which he knew not as well. Harry could only pray it was enough.

As they reached the main doors, they ran outside to find a crowd waiting for them. Coming up the walk, followed by Malfoy and Snape and his Death Eaters, was Voldemort himself.

A bright moon illuminated the sparse grounds as the swarm of black came to a halt. Only deep, echoing laughter could be heard in the unnatural silence.

"If you think for one moment you are going to set foot inside this castle, I'm afraid you're sorely mistaken," said McGonagall, breaking the ice and showing exactly why her Animagus was a cat. She fairly bristled with tension and anger.

The laughter ceased. "Ah, Minerva. I have no desire to harm your studentsss. Only one." The Dark Lord glanced over to Snape and added in a malevolent tone, "Well, maybe two."

No one knew who cast the first spell. Later, it would be recounted that a lone jet of green sparks shot wild from a wand, and from there, all Hell broke loose.

Curses flew left, right, and center as Harry dove for cover. It seemed as though the Death Eaters had been taught to engage him and incapacitate him, but not to kill him.

Thankfully, the Order was prepared to defend, and soon, most of the Death Eaters were engaged in their own battles and were forced to abandon the Potter Pursuit for the moment.

Severus dodged one spell after another. Each side thought that he belonged to them, but only one was right. The one who was tossing a few minor hexes and curses his way to make him more believable. He had wisely kept his hood off as they strode up to the castle grounds. Voldemort believed it was because he was proud of showing where his loyalties finally lay. Little did he know it was to save his own hide.

The first casualty of the evening was not a person anyone would have expected. Hagrid, the clumsy half-giant, was engaged with a Death Eater, when someone with the build of Macnair pointed his wand at Hagrid's back and shouted the Killing Curse.

The sparks of the spell could not be avoided, especially when they were not seen.

A moment later, a large body lay on the ground, dead.

Later, on that spot, a tombstone would be erected to commemorate the first lost in the Battle of Hogwarts. The proud canine, Fang, had protected his master to the very end.

Hagrid would never again own another dog. "Never have one as good as ole Fang," he told those who inquired as he brushed aside a tear.

Macnair would not remember the rest of the battle. Soon after casting the only curse he would throw that evening, he found himself knocked unconscious by a meaty fist and deposited against a tree, where he would not wake until dawn.

Amidst the chaos, the Death Eaters didn't notice at first that the size of the group they were fighting had grown from about fifteen adults to forty adults and teens, and even one house-elf. The freed Dobby heard the commotion and was quick to add his house-elf magic to the melee. Anything to help the friends of Harry Potter.

The Death Eaters were swift to notice that the teenagers were the more dangerous combatants. They had learned spells only someone like Severus Snape would know or invent.

Harry found Severus, who was more chaperoning the battle than participating in it. Of course, he didn't know that the first thing Snape did when the first spells were cast was turn on Draco, Petrify him, and Disillusion him. "Can't have you getting yourself killed," he told the body of the silent boy. "What would your mother say?" After that, Snape would covertly send incapacitating spells at the Death Eaters, but otherwise, his time was spent pretending to fight Order members or watching out for Harry and the others.

Lorrell and Hermione's presence in the Infirmary was more than made up for by the quietest girl in the Order. Katie used her abnormal speed to her advantage as she sped around even the most agile of the Death Eaters. Kati, Ron, and Charlie had been up several nights since she had come, leaving Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen as they discussed tactics. She knew where to be, how to get there, and what to do once she did. Charlie was beside her side the whole time, and the two worked as a cohesive unit.

"Remus!"

Snape sharply pivoted at the sound of the last Marauder's name. About thirty meters away, he could see the man writhing under the wand of a man in black.

Harry was blazing a trail toward the fallen body, screaming at each person in his way. A Death Eater jumped in his path and was on the ground before he could cast as the angered boy yelled, "Petrificus Totalus!" He ran past the body yelling, "That's what you get! I'm going to lay all your friends out right beside you!"

Severus was the first to reach Remus, who was barely conscious. Lucius Malfoy was smirking with an odd little laugh as he tortured the writhing man.

"Severus, come to delight in tonight's festivities? What's that matter? Couldn't find a little animal of your own? Pity, perhaps someone else has her for the evening."

"You seem to be awfully transfixed on Muggle-borns, Malfoy. Here, let me help you get a little inside knowledge. Aufero veneficus!"

Harry gaped in horror as he came upon the scene. Draco's father was on the ground, he eyes rolled back in his head and jerking as though he were in throes of a grand mal seizure. From out of his eyes, mouth, and the middle of his chest, came the most transfixing stream of blue ether. It looked alive, swaying and ebbing, with runes intertwined in the mingling strains.

He realized it was the magic of Lucius Malfoy. He had not known that someone such as Malfoy could contain something so beautiful, but from the set look on Snape's face, he wasn't going to contain it much longer.

Remus was still on the ground and coughing as the last of the blue dissipated. Lucius continued to twitch but was conscious enough to mouth one word.

"Why?"

"How many Muggle-borns did you rip the magic from?" snarled Snape. "How many times did you laugh at their tears, revel in the fact that you had taken what anyone had a right to have and no one had the right to own? How quickly would you have done it to Hermione if given the chance? No, it will not be so. And now you can be the one who knows just what it is like to live without your gifts. To have a taste of the ambrosia and then be cast away. You shall harm no one else on this night."

Severus kicked a bit of dirt at the fallen man before reaching out a hand to assist Lupin to his feet. "Remus," he greeted almost cordially, as if waiting for Molly to come round with the tea.

"Severus," said Remus, completely winded and wobbling on his feet. "I'm sorry," he blurted. "About everything. About Hermione, about Sirius and James, and the shack, and being a spineless jellyfish, and everything. I'm truly and deeply sorry, and I wish you both the most happiness."

"You're forgiven, Lupin, but perhaps this isn't the best time?" said Snape, running off to cast another spell at a Death Eater who had come too close to the red-headed imbecile who had the misfortune of being named Ronald.

The Ronald in question was assisting Harry in getting to Voldemort. Dodging around the unconscious or slain bodies of the allies and their enemies, he noticed the body of Avery on the ground, presumably dead. He also stepped over the body of Sterling, the burly sixth-year Hufflepuff. Ron couldn't help but notice as he passed that the boy's glazed over eyes looked like a snake's, and he shuddered at the thought of what spell would create such an effect.

Screams of pain, shouts of anger, yells of curses, and hollers for help. The battle at Hogwarts was comparably swift, but none could say it was silent. The air around the castle would glow a murky green for several nights in a macabre version of the Northern Lights from the sheer amount of magic cast in a single place.

Severus was watching the head of each female he passed. Was Hermione out here? Had she gone to the Infirmary as was her plan? He knew it would be like her to come out and assist her friends. That was how she had ended up in most of her more unusual situations through the years.

Ducking as a large chunk of stone came flying at his head, Harry looked through the crowd to find Voldemort. He spotted him down by the White Tomb.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny expertly dodged their way around Kingsley fighting Dolohov. Doloholv fell shortly after under Snape's wand, and he could be heard yelling, "Because she isn't here to do it herself!"

Arthur and Molly were fighting against Bellatrix, the woman who had destroyed their family home. A curse connected with Arthur as Molly screamed something at Bellatrix, and she flew backward. Ron went to run to his father but was quickly grabbed by Ginny. "Later, Ron! If we don't get Harry to Voldemort, none of it will matter!"

The Dark Lord was standing on the tomb of the departed Headmaster when he saw the three teens come down the shallow hill. He floated down to the ground, arms crossed as if he had just been patiently waiting.

"Come to see me at last, Potter? I knew you couldn't stay away too long."

The trio halted, and each had their wand poised at Voldemort's heart.

"Tsssk, tsssk, dear me, it sssseems you have been taught no manners at all. Three on one is hardly fair, is it? Perhaps we should make it more even." Voldemort clicked his fingers.

And nothing happened.

With a scowl, he removed a wand from his sleeve, and flicking it once, he had two Inferi coming out of the lake towards the Weasley siblings.

"Fire!" Harry yelled. "They hate fire!"

They both began casting spells with flames while Voldemort laughed again. "Still trying to save people, Potter? Pity I don't see your normal Mudblood out here this evening. Were you not able to save her?"

"She's inside, safe. And, you know, it's a funny thing about Hermione. You see, she's been working with someone over the last few months to create a potion to hinder you. Several someones in fact. The blood in your system now contains a piece of your mother."

"My mother? You lie, Potter! The only mother who has ever had an interfering hand here is yours, and now you shall pay!"

"Wrong!" yelled Harry, beginning to circle around the tomb, always keeping Voldemort in sight. "You've been poisoned, Tom. Can you feel it? Nothing special about you anymore. You are just a normal wizard. And when Hermione was working on that potion, working with Snape, who has always been on our side, even tonight, as is Draco-," Harry continued.

"Watch it, Harry," whispered Ron.

Voldemort was now incensed and trying to make sense of Potter's words. It was true that his nonverbal magic had failed this evening, but was it true? Was it true that Severus had foiled him once again? That he was truly still on the side of the Light?

"-when she was working on that potion," Harry continued, "she had to visit the grave of my mother. And you know what, Tom? I think my mother sent Hermione back with a message for you."

"And what would your filthy Mudblood mother have to say to me?" asked Voldemort, keeping both Harry and Ron in his sights in case one should try and make a move.

"Avada Kedavra!"

A sharp jolt knocked Harry flat as the burst of magic left his wand.

Voldemort was too stunned to dodge. Too shocked at being outwitted by this child. The blast hit him square in the chest, and his faced registered an "Oh!" before the light went from his eyes and his body crumpled to the ground, slumped against the tomb of Albus Dumbledore.

No marker would rest there for him.

No one could see in the small silk-lined pocket, deep inside the robes Voldemort wore, the blast of magic that killed him hit the white king as well. The potion had not only removed the magical enhancements of the Dark Lord. It had removed them from the chess piece.

When the trumpets' resounding and the parades were done, when the speeches were finished and the medals passed around, when the heroes of the day went back to the house for a quiet celebration of their own, Hermione would have to play with a set that was one piece shy.

The king was silent, never knowing what was coming, as the blast hit him full on and he shattered.

As Voldemort, now just plain Tom Riddle, hit the ground, his body already beginning to cool, the shrieks of his Death Eaters could be heard around the battlegrounds.

Even Snape, who had finally given up his Death Eater persona and was openly hexing the other black-garbed wizards, was doubled over in pain, grasping his forearm as he shouted in agony.

The Order wasted no time. The one lesson they had learned from the first Wizarding War with Voldemort was to shoot now, ask questions later. Spells were being sent everywhere, and soon, the followers of Voldemort were rounded up. Some were Petrified, some were bound, and some were unconscious. No matter how it had happened, it was clear that the victor in this war was the side of the Light.

A feeble cheer rose in the gloomy darkness, but even the victors could not find joy in a battle that had cost so many of their lives.

~~HGSS~

Up in the Infirmary, the three women had their hands full. Lorrell and Hermione patched up the minor wounds while Madam Pomfrey saw to the more serious cases.

Well, with Lorrell's weak stomach, it would be more accurate to say that Hermione patched up the minor wounds and Madam Pomfrey worked on the more serious cases while Lorrell retrieved more potions, bandages, and anything else the two witches needed as they worked.

They heard the agonizing screams from below.

"We're going to need more Pain Potion," said the mediwitch.

It was hard seeing the people Hermione knew in such pain. She was spared the casualties, but calming a sixth year who had just seen his friend die, and trying to tell him everything would be alright, felt like a lie. Who knew if it would be alright? Even if they won and Voldemort was vanquished, things would still not be alright.

Teachers and students, Death Eaters and Order members, family and friends would be gone. There would be people to capture, and a Ministry to reorganize. Trials, and laws, and who knew what else?

No, she could not simply tell the shaken Zahrt that everything would be alright.

"Your arm will hurt less soon," she said, giving him the only certainty she could as she helped him drink the sweet solution.

With each new person who came in, she looked for him. But since he had left her earlier with Draco, Hermione had not seen Severus.

A moment's respite came over the hospital wing as they finished tending to the immediate cases. Hermione looked out the window into the darkness with one palm pressed against the glass, wondering when and if he would return to her and what his state would be when he did.

Only after that did she wonder about Voldemort as well. She knew Severus and his luck. Hermione had more faith in Harry killing the Dark Lord than she did in Severus finding his way back to her unharmed.

She rested her head against the cool pane to wait.

Teaser: "I…well. That is to say, we…, um, we're…We're together."