Hermione's question had taken him by surprise. Her logic was sound however and there was no arguing with her. Severus had been reluctant at first, getting into the castle was going to be more than a little difficult He didn't even know if he had the relevant book that would help them in this new manner of insanity. She had been oddly quiet the evening they returned, only explaining what they had seen and making the request when they'd all sat around together. Although he had explained his thoughts, he had also said of his misgivings.

These, Severus had kept to himself for the moment, sensing the time wasn't right. He still hadn't said anything the following day as the entire group made their way to the school, or at least the ridge that surrounded it. Cursing himself for a coward, he made himself go up to Hermione and speak his piece. If they agreed to continue after that, so be it. Approaching her, he felt his palms begin to sweat. Why he suddenly felt so short of breath was beyond him, he had spoken to her numerous times about difficult things in the past, why this was different, he had no idea. Still, the evidence was there. He swallowed hard and touched her hand.

Hermione turned and gave him one of her warmer smiles. Dropping back, she took his hand in hers. She must have noticed the consternation in his eyes however and she tilted her head, "What is it?" she asked. He swallowed again and opened his mouth to speak. She gave him enough time and eventually he found the right words.

"I don't know where the book is," he said. She nodded, he had said as much the night before, "I… I've had some time to think about it and I think there is a copy in the restricted section, we should head there."

She digested his words for a moment, a cold wind whipped around them and he shivered a little, "What else is it?" she asked after a moment.

"Summoning Death…" he said slowly, "That's not going to be easy."

"Of course not!" she snapped. He rubbed a hand over his pale face and pushed stringy, unwashed hair from his face. Willing himself to speak the next part, he took a deep breath.

"Death will want something in return," he said.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"I recall reading something about it in the past," he said slowly, "I cannot remember all the details but he will want something, possible someone, in repayment for fixing the wand."

"How about the wand itself?" she said after a pause. Severus glanced at the others who were waiting for them and shook his head slowly.

"I don't know Hermione," he said. She gave him a look, one that said he was worried about nothing and she touched his arm. It was shallow reassurance but it was all she had to offer. Turning to the others, she indicated the situation below them. Severus followed her hand and shook his head, how they were going to get through all that, he had no idea.

"Well, that's going to make life tough," Draco said drily.

Tonks exchanged a look with Lupin, who let out a sigh. "What about the passageway underneath Honeydukes?" he said after a moment. Tonks patted his arm and Harry looked at his former tutor instantly.

"In Hogsmead?"

"Yes," Tonks said. "There are less of them there than her e and it will get you into the castle."

Harry appeared to think it over for a moment; an awful feeling grew in the pit of Severus' stomach and he let out a shaking breath, afraid to suggest what had come to his mind.

"What you need is a diversion," Luna said. Her voice was decidedly less dreamy as she spoke. Neville was nodding along with her and he knew what they were thinking before she even elaborated. "Neville and I will use our magic to draw as many of them off as we can. When they're coming towards us, you get into the shop and go." Her explanation was sound and he found himself nodding along with her, "We can meet you back at the loft when we're done."

Harry appeared to consider this but Severus spoke before he had the chance, "I think that would work," he said slowly, "It would be very dangerous though."

"As dangerous as sneaking into the castle to try and find a book?" Neville said. The boy had a point there and he fell silent again.

"Will just the two of you be enough?" Hermione asked. The look of concern on her face spoke volumes and his breath hitched in his throat. Draco coughed at that point before speaking up.

"I don't mind staying," he said.

"Me too," Ginny added.

Harry's eyes widened when Ginny spoke but the look she gave him could have silenced Minerva during one of her termly rants. "We'll meet back at the loft when this is done," she said. It was as though she spoke to Harry alone. It began to dawn on Severus that there was more to their relationship than mere friendliness. He knew how he would feel if Hermione had said she would stay and so remained silent on the matter.

"Alright," Harry said. Everyone moved away, giving the two a moment to converse in hushed voices. Hermione found his hand again and the group began to make its way to Hogsmead. It was a fifteen minute walk at the most and as such, they arrived in good time. When he looked down at the once picturesque village, his heart sank. It had once been a place of such joy, now it displayed only death and despair. The restless had done considerable damage to the buildings, even from this distance. There had been a fire at one end of the village, rendering several buildings blackened and derelict. The lack of repair had left the remaining structures in varying states of dilapidation. Severus' heart sank at the state of the place, it was as though some part of him had been punched.

Hermione's hand squeezed his and he turned to glance at her, "Awful isn't it."

He nodded slowly, "I know you said it was bad but this…" His words trailed off as he was caught in an uncharacteristic bout of sentimentality. After a moment of letting the state of the village sink in, Harry turned to Neville, Luna and Draco.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"Honestly Harry? I'm scared witless but someone needs to do this," Neville said. Harry quickly embraced his friend for the courage he was showing. Severus managed to not make any noises of revulsion at the display, merely hoped they would get on with it quickly.

"We'll see you back at the loft," Hermione said. Luna clasped her hand for a moment and gave it a squeeze. Severus couldn't help notice the thickness in her voice when she spoke. It dawned on him that they might never see them again and he began to understand the emotion they may be feeling.

It took Harry a good five minutes to say goodbye to Ginny. Ron remained silent during the whole affair. He and his sister had had a long conversation about her drawing off the restless. It had turned into an argument, which Ron had apparently lost. He had been silent and sulky since but when Ginny came to say goodbye, he embraced her fiercely. The moment they parted, the three of them turned and fled.

There was nothing the rest of them could do but wait. Wait and watch until the most opportune moment. He released Hermione's hand, finding the contact an irritant more than anything, and watched at the ridge. Unlike her, he did not mind waiting. They were not there for long. It took maybe twenty minutes at the most for the magical shots to be fired. Of course they would use their wands! Magic attracted these creatures like frogs and water.

A couple of bright flashes were all it took. Moments later, the bulk of the dead began moving towards the new magical energy. Another five minutes and there was significantly less than there had been, "If we're going to do this, now is the time," Severus said. The group nodded and began to move. Every one of them had a weapon in their hand and a determined look in their eyes. He could not help but feel a little touched by the resolution the group had. That he also had. Not wanting to dwell on it further, they began making their way down the ridge towards the ancient, dilapidated sweet shop.

The way was by no means clear. As soon as they reached the edge of the village, they encountered the Restless. Most of them they managed to dodge. Some of them they were forced to kill. When the dead saw them, they abandoned their quest for the new magic and turned to try and feast on this new meal. The door to Honeydukes had been left open, "Come on! Get inside!" Remus called as he reached it. It didn't take all that much encouragement. As soon as they were all inside Remus and Tonks held the door shut, "That counter!" He shouted. Severus helped Harry haul one of the large counters towards the door. The banging against the door increased just as they jammed the door shut.

Hermione and Ron had already dispatched the three creatures that had stumbled into the shop and the paused for a moment. Remus turned to them all and gestured for them to follow, "This way," he said. Not wanting to waste a minute of the time their friends had provided them with, they followed him. Severus watched as his former schoolmate bent down and heaved the trapdoor up.

"How do you know about this?" Hermione asked. Remus flashed a wicked grin and shook his head.

"Maybe when this is all over I'll tell you," he said. A puff of cold air escaped from the trapdoor and the smell of damp air hit them. A ladder led down into the gloom and Severus was sharply reminded of the escape from the Abomination a few short weeks before.

"Everyone in," Remus said. His orders were followed and once more they were descended into darkness.