Hermione and Ginny joined them in the girls' bedroom a few minutes later. The platter of sandwiches remained untouched, but Holly did drink a cup of tea. One that she was fairly sure was laced with a Calming Draught. Her eyes were heavy and her breathing evened out. Her eyes remained puffy, but her head drooped on Ron's shoulder, who was sitting closely at her side. Hermione was on her opposite side, occasionally patting her knee. Ginny was nearby, carefully rearranging pillows on Holly's bed. She fluffed the pillows and said, "You look like you could use sleep."

Holly shrugged, blankly staring at her tattered trainers. The cup in her hands was becoming unbearably heavy. When a bit of tea sloshed over the rim, Hermione reached out and plucked it right out of her hands. Hermione's voice was firm when she said, "Get into bed, Holly. If you can't manage it yourself, Ron will carry you."

Holly frowned and struggled to her feet, taking the hand Hermione offered and letting Ron keep her steady by cradling her elbows. She let Ginny quickly pull her trainers off her feet and tuck the blankets up to her chin. She said, "I'm going to leave a cup of water and a Headache Potion on the bedside table."

Ginny walked away, gesturing to Ron, who followed her across the bedroom. They sat on Ginny's assigned bed and bent their heads together, immediately whispering. After a moment of hovering, Hermione took Holly's limp hand in hers. Holly sighed heavily and closed her eyes. She muttered, "Stop, Hermione."

Hermione murmured, "People care about you. I care and so does Ron."

"I don't think Ron will be okay with…" Holly trailed off, unsure how to continue.

Hermione quietly replied, "Ron loves you, Holly. He doesn't always express his emotions in the best way. You know this. You're his best mate. And he's your best mate. If Ron didn't care, he wouldn't bother being here right now."

Hermione let go of her hand. Holly whispered, "Everything is ruined."

Her friend sighed, "Don't give up hope."

"Hope for what?" She snorted, lazily opening her hefty eyes. "My parents are dead and the Darkest wizard of all time is out to murder me. My Godfather is ready to murder me. I'm stuck like a rat in a cage in this house."

Hermione's gaze was fierce. She said, "Don't give up hope for all of us. For Ron and me. For Sirius and Remus. For the Weasleys. For Dumbledore. For Professor Snape. And don't you dare give up hope for yourself, Holly."

Holly sat up abruptly, dizzy and glaring. She muttered, "I'll do what I want."

"Fine. Feel sorry for yourself." Hermione bit out, "Keep pushing people away and keep your secrets. That won't get you anywhere. Be honest, Holly. Be brave. I know you're capable of better than this."

Holly watched her stalk across the bedroom and hiss at the youngest Weasley siblings. They wearily eyed Hermione before following her out of the room. The door slammed with a thud. Holly flopped back onto the soft pillows. She stared at the ceiling above, counting spiders. There was bitter anger lingering in her throat, wanting to push its way out like bile. With a hot sigh, Holly rolled over and firmly shut her eyes. And all she saw was a bloody version of herself on the cold, stone floor. Calling and begging. Severus. Severus. Severus. And her face, so familiar, faded to one so unfamiliar to her. Gone was the aristocratic nose and darkly arched eyebrows. Gone was the dimples in her chin. Gone was messy, inky black hair and a lightning bolt scar. All of those features were replaced with softer features; rounded cheeks, a delicate button nose, a more rounded chin without the distinct Potter dimple, and a wealth of red-wine hair. Lily. Lily Potter. Her mother. Her mother crying, accusing Severus of killing her and taking her child. First the mother and now the daughter.

Holly sat up, crossing her arms over her stomach. She breathed deeply and tried to think of better thoughts only to find herself thinking of Sirius. The haunted, pale look that he had begun to lose after his time in Azkaban was now back. She had done that. Holly had hurt Sirius, enraged him until he was nearly foaming at the mouth. His best friend, his only friend left alive, was Remus Lupin. And Holly was the reason the two of them had fought one another, trading punches and harming one another. Holly had put her friends in danger over and over again. She had lied to them about Severus. Even when she had suspected Hermione was suspicious, Holly still said nothing.

With a gulp, Holly stood up on trembling legs. She walked out of the bedroom and down the hallways, looking into multiple rooms. By the time she found her friends in the drawing room on the second floor, Holly was feeling nauseated. She heard their voices, tense and frustrated, but could not hear their exact words. Holly smiled, knowing Hermione had used Severus's Muffling Charm. The same Charm he had taught to her so long ago during a Remedial Potions lesson.

With a palm flat on the wood, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. She closed the door slowly and stared at three of her closest friends. Ginny was sitting on the floor, legs crisscrossed with her wand twirling about in her hands. She had an open, curious expression her face. Ron was frowning, broad shoulders tense, as he patted a slumped over Hermione on the arm. Hermione's brown eyes were shimmering with tears. Words tumbled out of Holly's mouth nervously.

"I'm a jerk. Hermione, I'm sorry. You were right and I really ought to know by now that you usually are right about most things. I was, I still am, feeling sorry for myself. That won't help anyone, so I'm kicking myself in the arse. It doesn't matter what happens to me because Voldemort has to end. I know I have to kill him. I know the horcruxes are the only way to end him. I can't do this without the three of you, so I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not telling all of the truth. I'm sorry for keeping Severus a secret. I was…"

She faltered, took a deep breath, and met Ron's sky-blue eyes. She firmly said, "I was scared of losing you. I was scared of losing him, too. I thought if I kept whatever was happening a secret, then I could keep everyone safe and free from fighting. The truth is, I was cowardly. The truth is…I-I have more important things to do in my life than cry about Severus. Snape. I have better things to do than obsess over Snape."

Hermione gasped, "Holly…I didn't mean-"

"No." She repeated in a hard tone. "We have to figure out where Hufflepuff's Cup is. We have to focus on the war or there won't be anything left and Voldemort will win."

Holly nodded once, glancing at each of their expressions, before sitting beside them on the floor. She asked, "Has anyone any ideas?"

Hermione glanced at Ron before slowly saying, "It seems plausible that V-Voldemort might entrust a follower with a horcrux."

Holly frowned, eyes closing as she thought. She tried to picture the vision she had so long ago, the vision that had led them to the locket. And the cave. The forsaken cave. With a deep breath, Holly opened her eyes. She shook her head and huffed, "I can picture the Cup, but the images from my vision were so blurry and fast."

"It's okay." Hermione was quick to say, "We can keep reading. I have two books I found here, in the Black Library, that could be very useful. It's nasty subjects, but I really think they could aid us."

Holly nodded and said, "I think your idea about the Death Eaters is a good one. Voldemort doesn't trust easily, especially after Sev-Snape, switched sides and it all came to light during the battle at the Ministry during Fifth Year."

She thought of a great, falling pillar. She thought of the smell of blood and burnt flesh. Of the Torturing Curse and the bellows tearing from Severus's throat. The way his back bent at an impossible angle. At the cackling, hysterical laughter from Bellatrix Lestrange. Her stomach rolled oddly and Holly gulped. "Bellatrix."

Everyone in the drawing room froze. Ron asked, "What of her?"

"She's…" Holly blinked, words failing her.

"Madder than Mad-Eye and You-Know-Who put together." Ron offered with a disgusted snort. "I'd wager that she is his right-hand."

Holly frowned and said, "It was Severus. I mean, it was Snape once, after his resurrection. Before that, I think his right-hand was Mr. Malfoy."

Hermione said, "Mr. Malfoy claiming innocence angered…Voldemort. You said he seemed very angry, calling Mr. Malfoy a slippery friend, and ridiculing those who didn't go to Azkaban in his name."

Holly blinked, taking in her friend's face. She replied, "Yeah. And something Sev-Snape said once made me think Mr. Malfoy wasn't useful beyond money anymore. It had to do with Draco."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, frowning and looking thoughtful.

Ginny spoke up suddenly, eyes sparkling with comprehension. She said, "The D.A meeting. Snape brought Draco in."

"Yes," Holly sighed, "He took Malfoy and me aside once. He claimed we were all on the same side. He kept telling me to trust Malfoy. Snape made it sound as if Malfoy was in danger and wanted away from it all. I think Dumbledore is in on it."

"In on what?" Ron grumbled, "In on helping the slimy ferret?"

"I don't know, Ron." Holly shot back, "All I know is that Snape is protective of Draco bloody Malfoy. And I saw his face when Snape was talking that night. He looked terrified. Not angry or sneering. Just scared."

"Christmas." Hermione glanced at Ginny, who nodded quickly. Hermione turned to Ron and Holly before explaining, "Draco stayed at Hogwarts this last Christmas. Very few stayed behind. I remember him staying behind in the Great Hall that morning before we met Order members at the Apparition point."

"Yes," Holly nodded, "I think he's staying at the castle even now. We were all there, watching students pile into carriages to head to Hogsmeade Station. Did any of you see Draco?"

"No," Ron replied, "That doesn't mean we couldn't have missed him."

"Ron's right, but so is Holly." Hermione spoke quietly as if thinking deeply.

Ginny said, "Think about it. Draco is attractive, physically, at least. He's got money and property and a shoe-in for a nice career. Draco is a git, but he is intelligent and talented. I hate to say so, but he is excellent with Charms and Transfigurations. According to Hermione, he is exceptional at Arithmancy."

"What's your point, Gin?" Ron demanded abruptly.

She sighed in exasperation. "My point is that Draco Malfoy is not a total idiot. He's mean and rude, but that doesn't automatically make him a Dark wizard willing to kill people over blood purity."

"He's a racist git!" Ron insisted, cheeks growing red. Holly put her hand on his forearm and agreed, "He absolutely is."

Hermione quietly added, "What Ginny and Holly are saying is that Draco is not willing to throw away his life for Voldemort. He may be a bad person, but he isn't evil. He may very well want our side to win, so he can have the life he wants to have."

Ron was scowling heavily. He asked, "What does this have to do with Bellatrix Lestrange and our plan for the Cup?"

Hermione and Holly shared a look before Holly said, "On the night of my vision, I tried going to Dumbledore's office. I ran into…Snape and he made a comment about Dumbledore helping a Slytherin student for once. I think Dumbledore was trying to protect Malfoy by keeping him away from his parents. When I realized Malfoy was staying at the castle for Christmas, I should have put it all together."

Ron blinked and said, "Mr. Malfoy hasn't been at the Ministry in weeks. Dad said so to Mum. He said the last time Mr. Malfoy came in to work he looked ragged and was jumpy. You remember him saying so, don't you, Ginny?"

His sister nodded and somberly replied, "Yes."

Hermione and Holly shared another look. It was Hermione who firmly said, "Malfoy Manor. I bet that is where the Death Eaters are gathering. Voldemort must go there for meetings. Maybe he stays there permanently."

"It would explain both Malfoys' attitudes lately." Holly muttered, "Coward would be terrified of running into Voldemort."

Ron muttered, "I'd want to stay at Hogwarts too, if he was at my house."

There was a pause before Ginny said, "Bellatrix is insane. We all know it and she has been spotted at dozens of raids. She was one of the ones…one of the ones present when our uncles died in the First War. She's a fanatic. Wherever Tom Riddle is, Bellatrix won't be far. In fact, she's probably right there with him."

"You're right." Hermione agreed, giving the petite girl's hand a squeeze. She said, "If we assume Voldemort is using Malfoy Manor as a base of sorts, then we can assume Bellatrix is living there."

"The Malfoys are her family." Ron added slowly, "Mrs. Malfoy is sister to Bellatrix. As far as I know, her and her husband, Rodolphus don't own property anymore. Neither does her husband's brother, Rabastan. It would be easier for them if they just lived with the Malfoys when they aren't raiding or kidnapping or whatever."

Holly frowned and asked, "How do you know they don't have a house?"

Hermione nodded, turning to face him and waiting for an answer. Ron looked at his sister oddly before gulping. He said, "The Lestrange Manor and surrounding lands were all burnt down by a group of Order members during the First War. Uncle Fabian and Gideon were leading the group on that mission and a Confringo went out of control. It didn't mesh well with all the Dark magic in the air."

"That's why…" Ginny murmured, "That's why Bellatrix and her husband went after them a few weeks later. It was retaliation against our uncles."

There was a long silence. Holly watched Hermione blink rapidly, glancing down at her lap and sniffling. Holly took a deep breath, locking her jaw in place. She muttered, "I won't stop until I kill Voldemort. And we are going to take Bellatrix down, too. For your uncles, for Neville and his parents, and for every person she's ever hurt. They won't get away with what they have done."

Ron nodded curtly and glanced away. Holly pretended as if she didn't see the shininess in his eyes. They lapsed into silence for a long time until there was a knock on the door. A moment later, it was slowly pushed open. The Headmaster stood with a sober expression. He was wearing dark green robes with golden stars. His signature half-moon spectacles were on his face. Behind his spectacles, his cerulean eyes were grave and lacked their usual sparkle.

He eyed each of them with a peculiar sadness before pinning Holly with his stare. He quietly said, "Come with me, my dear. I would like to speak with you."

Holly got to her feet, trailing after Dumbledore. They walked further up the staircases, crossing landings and continuing on. On the third floor, they came to a small sitting room with the door ajar. Dumbledore gestured wordlessly. Holly glanced at him once more before entering the room. Sirius was pacing the length of the floor and Holly felt both guilty and relieved to see he was without a wand.

The door closed with a quiet click. She watched as Dumbledore murmured foreign words and waved his wand. A chair was Conjured and Holly sat down gingerly on the edge of the cushion. She watched as Sirius still paced. The groans of the floorboards were all that could be heard for some time. Finally, Dumbledore sat in a secondary chair. He Conjured a third and quietly said, "Sirius."

Holly watched her Godfather move about the room in agitation. His fingers were trembling and his lips were moving, but she couldn't hear him speaking at all. Tears were burning, but she wiped them away. Her voice was thin and trembling when she begged, "Stop. Sirius, please. Please, stop being angry with me. Sit down. I don't want you to worry. I-I won't be speaking with Snape anymore. Do you hear me?"

He faced her, once handsome face marred with deep lines. His eyes were dark and boiling like fire. Holly flinched and whispered, "Please, Sirius."

He ignored the empty chair. Instead, he knelt at her feet and gentle reached for her hands. Holly clasped, clinging to his palms. She watched him as his gray eyes roamed over her face as if searching for a light in total darkness. Sirius roughly whispered, "I'm meant to protect you. I lost James and all he ever wanted, all he ever asked of me in those last few years, was to protect Lily and you if he were gone."

Holly trembled, but said nothing.

Sirius whispered, "I failed. I failed him."

"You didn't." She insisted, "I'm here. You're here."

"Snape." Sirius spit the name like a swear word. His hands tightened slightly in hers. He snapped, "Snape put his grubby claws on you. He got into your mind during those Occlumency lessons, twisted your misfortunes and made you dependent on him. I will take his life for this, Holly. I will slaughter him for daring to deceive you."

Holly choked, "S-Sirius. Y-You don't understand."

"You will do no such thing, Sirius." Dumbledore whispered calmly, "You are too good a man for such innocent bloodshed."

Sirius was on his feet and towering over Dumbledore in the blink of an eye. He roared, "She was innocent and that perverted fuck took that from her! You were to keep her safe at Hogwarts and you allowed this to happen!"

Holly jumped up, hands going to Sirius's arms. She began to tug, eyes frantically looking to Dumbledore, who seemed so sad and calm. Stunning blue eyes glanced at her before focusing on Sirius's panting form once more. Dumbledore said, "I was just as unaware of the extent of their relationship as you were. My encouragement was for an understanding and possible acceptance of the past. When I realized Severus and Holly had formed an unconventional friendship, I was delighted."

"Delighted?" Sirius snarled, long and low. "Delighted in a man as old as her father taking advantage of her? Delighted in knowing that greasy, nasty, sick excuse of a man was obsessed with Lily so much so that he would prey on her daughter under your nose?"

"Love is a terrible, incredible thing." Dumbledore whispered, "You know as well as I do just what pain and destruction love can bring. Sirius, I truly was not aware of the extent of their relationship until it was much too late. I attempted to discourage Severus, but emotions run deeply."

"Are you hearing yourself, old man?" Sirius barked hysterical laughter. He whirled around, beginning to pace once more. He shook his head and snapped, "She isn't of age. Not for another few days. Even then, Severus Snape is twenty years older than her. Merlin's balls, he's my age. Sweet Merlin, Dumbledore. She isn't old enough to make these decisions, to understand what any of this means."

Holly whispered, "It was me."

Sirius's head whipped in her direction, looking at her as if he had forgotten she was present. Holly repeated, "It was me. Severus did nothing to…to me. I went after him again and again. I showed up at his office unannounced. I asked for additional lessons. I was the one trying to catch his attention. I was the one calling for him anytime I was in trouble. It wasn't Severus, okay, Sirius? It was all me."

"He was to teach you." Sirius snarled, eyes rolling madly. "Nothing more."

"He does teach me." Holly explained quickly, "He tried telling me the same things you're saying now and I never listened. He tossed me to the side dozens of times, but I was too stupid to take the hint. Please, Sirius, calm down. I take back what I said earlier. Just be angry with me. Punish me, but leave Severus alone. He never really wanted me, alright?"

Sirius was still growling, so Holly let out a frustrated shriek. She demanded, "I'm telling you as best I can. You're right, Sirius. You're right and I was wrong. I should have never let my stupid crush go any further than it did. I'm the one at fault. I was selfish and immature. There's nothing for you to worry about. I'm not going anywhere near him anymore. I'm going to drop Advanced Potions once the school year starts. I'm going to focus on training even more with you. Come to the castle as Padfoot and check on me yourself. We can work something out that doesn't involve you hurting Severus. He's needed, no matter if you like it or not. He's on our side and he's needed for the war. Dumbledore needs him just like I need you."

Sirius's face was crumpling before her eyes. He stepped forward and gently touched her cheek. He said, "You see the best in people like Lily. And you forgive the worst wrongdoings like James."

Holly was shaking as she whispered, "You don't hate me?"

"No, Hols." Sirius said as he stepped forward and hugged her. He whispered, "I could never hate you. I hate Snivullus for this. I blame him."

"I don't want either of you hurt." She mumbled.

"For the war." He grimly responded and Holly had a feeling he was glaring at Dumbledore even as he hugged her closely to his chest. He repeated, "For the war, he keeps living. When this is all over, I will get my words and duel with that greasy bat."