"Dance with the Devil"

Luckily, everyone made it to Hogwarts from Grimmauld Place without an incident. The group was immediately divided into different committee meetings throughout the castle and if someone wasn't in a meeting, they were seeing to the guests arriving in the Great Hall. Hermione and Angelina were finally sitting down for a late dinner, when a rolled up parchment popped in front of the pair.

Hermione, please come to McGonagall's office immediately. –HP

Hermione sighed. "I'll be back, Angelina."

Angelina looked concerned. "I'll meet you by your quarters?"

Hermione nodded.

"Good luck."

Hermione quickly made her way to the gargoyle statue and up the stairs. When she stepped inside, she found a small group already gathered. Hermione sat in the seat next to Harry; Ron, who was on his other side, kept his gaze frozen to the floor.

"Draco Malfoy has made contact and is expected any minute," McGonagall supplied.

The room remained uncomfortably silent until he arrived.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall finally announced, as he glided into the room, still wearing his Death Eater robes. Severus followed him in.

Draco nodded. "Professor, I don't have much time, an hour or two at the most. He has the meeting in the manor set at six o'clock tomorrow evening. We are to leave shortly after that. He has different lines established and they are to receive their duties tomorrow. Among the leaders are Greyback, Yaxley, and Dolohov."

"What about the circle?" Severus asked. "Are they arriving with him?"

Draco nodded. "Bella and my father are to arrive with him."

"And you?" Moody asked.

Draco shrugged. "I'm to get my position tomorrow."

"Lucius won't allow you to get moved in the crowds," Severus said.

"So he has his lines moving in after six," Moody clarified.

"Yes. There are no signs, orders, or murmurs that he will move any sooner. He's sent the lower ranks away. They are not to return until six tomorrow. If he gets excited and it changes, I'll send a patronus as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Draco," McGonagall said. "That's good to know. Alastor, I think it's time for the lock in. For security purposes, no one is allowed to leave the castle as soon as Mr. Malfoy leaves. I want Aurors patrolling the corridors with special enforcements around the Room of Requirement. I want the seals on the passageways in and out of the castle checked. Remus, can you and Tonks check the passages?"

Remus nodded.

"Severus, I assure that you will see Mr. Malfoy out. The rest of you, please get a good night's sleep."

Harry and Hermione stood up, only to have Ron rudely push pass them and fly out the door.

"Well," Harry began. "Looks like it's just us."

Hermione gave him a weak smile as they left the office. "Angelina will be waiting for us."

Severus watched as Draco performed the Disillusionment charm and disappeared through the main gates, which glowed purple as they shut. He stood for a few moments, the only movement coming from the snow flurries that had begun falling around him. He slowly turned around, pulled his cloak tighter, and set off in the opposite direction from the castle; his dark figure blending in with shadows cast across the grounds.

An hour after Hermione and Harry had met Angelina at Hermione's quarters, a small gathering had accumulated; Tonks and Ginny also found their way down. A short knock at the door signaled another visitor.

"Hello, Remus," Hermione greeted.

"Mind if I join?"

"Not at all."

"I heard you were down here from Molly," Remus said. "The passageways are secure. The castle should be locked down now. Fred and George arrived nearly an hour ago and were whisked away by Alastor."

Angelina sighed, while Remus sat on the floor next to Tonks.

"What's everybody doing?"

"Reminiscing," Harry replied. "Reliving the glory days of Hogwarts."

"Glory days?" Ginny repeated. "Are you sure we went to the same school?"

"Quidditch, Fred and George harassing Umbridge…All the times we sent McGonagall in a tizzy?" Harry asked.

Remus laughed. "Minerva was a riot during staff meetings, especially if they fell after a Quidditch match."

The group laughed. The conversation continued the same for nearly another hour when Severus finally showed up. After he saw who was gathered, he went to turn around, but Angelina grabbed his arm and pulled him in.

"Look who's finally decided to join us," she announced. "It's been what...One, two days?"

"Thank you, Ms. Johnson," he growled, low enough for only her to hear.

"Everything go well?" Remus asked.

"Draco has gone back and everything is going as planned. The castle is locked down for the night."

"I'm glad Kingsley took the night shift," Tonks said. "It's too cold and boring for me. He's used to boring jobs."

"He has Alastor to keep him company," Remus added.

"Like I said, he's used to boring jobs."

The conversation split after that to Quidditch and the Ministry, leaving Hermione unusually bored. It wasn't before long that she felt her eyelids hanging. Severus and Harry seemed to be the only ones who noticed. Harry reached out a hand to wake Hermione, but Severus stopped him, with a shake of his head. It took a little while longer for Angelina to notice and she quietly excused herself. Tonks and Remus quickly followed, and Harry practically ran out afterwards, dragging Ginny behind him.

After the door finally clicked shut, Severus turned around to find Hermione squinting at him.

"Where's ev'rybody?" She slurred.

"They're gone," he replied softly.

"Oh. What time is it?"

"Shortly after midnight."

"Oh."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Did you take anything?"

"Harry drugged me with Stay Sleep and a Dreamless Drought."

"You let him?"

"Won't sleep otherwise. He thinks I don't know."

Severus sighed. "Let's get you to bed," he said and helped Hermione stand up.

"I'm so exhausted."

"I'm sure Potter would be proud."

"Not talking about being tired," Hermione replied, as he helped her into her room. Hermione practically fell onto the bed. "Sev'rus?"

He paused.

"Stay?"

"Hermione-"

"Don't want to be alone."

He regarded her as she slipped under the covers.

"I'll be back."

Hermione gave a small smile. "Don't kill 'arry."

Severus retreated back to her living room and grabbed the Dreamless Sleep vial from his jacket pocket. He had brought it for Hermione, but she was already taken care of. Before the rational part of his brain kicked back in, Severus downed the potion and then kicked off his boots.

He quietly crept back into Hermione's room to see that her back was to the door.

"Good. Thought you left," she mumbled.

"No."

"I'm glad…Might be last time together."

Any reply that Severus was going to say was immediately lost; he silently thanked Merlin for the potion he just took. After Severus settled down under the covers, he extinguished the low light.

"Goodnight, Hermione."

"Night."

Hermione picked at her toast the next morning.

"You need to eat Hermione. Snape did," Harry said.

She sighed. "Thanks, by the way. How concentrated was that Stay Sleep?"

Harry looked sheepish. "I'm not exactly sure—Don't give me that look! Dobby gave it to me."

"Did you take it?"

Harry shook his head. "After I saw how 'dead to the world' you were last night, I passed."

"You—Harry, I've never wanted to-"

"Don't worry about it, Snape already gave me a lecture. He said you were drugged enough for two people."

"He had to wake me up this morning."

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "He stayed over?"

"I don't remember much, thanks to being drugged." Hermione sent him a pointed look. "All I remember is stumbling to bed and that he stayed."

"But he stayed," Harry said and then grinned. "You're welcome."

Hermione glared at him.

"But really, I don't have much of an appetite, but we need to eat something today," Harry urged.

"I will."

"Breakfast is the most important part of the day."

"You're sounding like me."

Harry smirked. "If I were to sound like you, I'd…" he cleared his throat and used his best Hermione impersonation, "Hermione Granger, if you don't eat anything, I'm telling Severus." He put his hands on his hips for good measure.

Hermione stared at him. "Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor."

"Oh, I'm absolutely dying on the inside. I think Snape slipped a calming draught into my tea this morning. It's starting to wear off. Did you, uh…tell him yet?"

She shook her head and it was quiet for a few moments.

"How long have you been up?" Hermione asked.

"Five-thirty. I walked the castle for a while…getting a look at things again."

"Harry-"

"I know, I know. But just in case. It's been my home for so long. Magic, Dumbledore's Army…adventure, dragons, and Quidditch. Do you think you'd come with me to the pitch?"

She looked at him. "Of course."

He smiled. "I'm going to go get my broom."

"You brought it here?"

He nodded. "If anything…happens…it belongs here."

Hermione sighed as Harry disappeared into the castle.

Sometimes, she wished he was a little more optimistic.

"How long has he been at it?" Ginny asked Hermione, as she walked through the Quidditch stands.

"The better part of an hour," Hermione replied, setting down her book. "He said it helps him clear his head."

Ginny sat down next to her. "Reading clears yours?"

"It distracts me. How's your mum doing?"

"I was able to slip out when Charlie came in. Charlie and some of his friends rode in on dragons. They're all eating in the Great Hall."

"When'd you get here?" Harry asked, flying up to them with the Snitch in his hand.

"Oh yes, 'Hello Ginny, how are things?' doesn't come to mind?"

"Er...Do you want to catch the Snitch with me?"

"No thanks, I'm fine."

"Is everything alright back at the castle?"

Ginny nodded. "Everything is running as planned."

"That's good," Harry replied and handed Hermione the Snitch.

"Close your eyes this time," Hermione said.

"Fine," he muttered.

Hermione threw the Snitch onto the pitch and watched it quickly disappear.

"Am I good?" Harry asked.

"Yes, go find it."

Hermione and Ginny watched as Harry turned around and zipped away.

"He seems awfully...calm right now," Ginny observed.

"Yes, well, I may have hit him in the back with a cheering charm."

"Ha! You did not!"

Hermione nodded. "He's lucky that's it. He drugged me last night with two potions and I could barely stand on my own."

"Is that why he ran out last night? I thought it was because he was purposely trying to leave the two of you alone."

"I'm sure it was both."

"Subtlety is not his strong suit," Ginny said. "Did it work?"

"No, I couldn't even walk in a straight line last night."

"I thought I taught him that less is more! Have you talked to Snape today?"

Hermione shook her head.

"So why haven't you said anything?"

Hermione was quiet for a moment, as she watched Harry weave around the stands. "I feel like it's a little too late at this point. I made the promise to myself that if we both make it to tomorrow, I'll say something."

Ginny frowned. "Hermione, you two are some of the most skilled out there. If you're thinking like that, there's no hope for the rest of us."

Hermione shrugged. "It's not that. He has some protection, because I'm sure Voldemort has marked Severus as his. If he's kept busy, he won't have the opportunity. I know I have a target on my back, being so close to Harry. I'm sure Ron does too."

"Is Ron still being a git?"

"A bit."

"Sometimes I dream about hanging him upside down by his knickers and leaving him there for a few hours," Ginny said.

Hermione laughed. "Who'd want to see that?"

"No death defying acts for you today?"

Hermione spun around to see Severus holding a bag.

"I already rode a broom once this year. That was enough for me."

He sat down behind the two.

"Hungry?" He asked.

"Possibly."

"I have lunch. Dobby showed up and announced that I needed to bring lunch."

"I swear, that elf knows everything," Ginny said, as Harry flew back over with the snitch.

"Sandwiches? I'm starved."

"Who said there are any for you?" Ginny asked.

Harry looked surprised. "What?"

Ginny tossed a wrapped package to Harry, who almost fumbled and dropped it.

"Of course there's some for you," Ginny said.

Harry sat down and smiled.

"Remember the plan!" Moody advised. "The spotters are out there now. Voldemort wants this through with by midnight and he will do anything to get there. It's nearly freezing out and I don't want anyone falling from the cold! Constant vigilance!" He exclaimed and then turned around to speak with Harry.

"The sooner you can get to him, the quicker it will be over. Remember that you have to stay within eyeshot of Snape."

Harry nodded.

"Don't forget to send word if something happens. The others knows to do the same," Moody continued and then walked away.

The main line was gathered in the Entrance Hall; spotters already sent word of Voldemort's arrival. Two other ground teams were waiting at the exits of two hidden passages. The hall was eerily quiet when Moody finished.

"Hermione," Harry whispered.

She looked at him and he hugged her.

"Good luck. You're my best friend…like the sister I've never had. Be careful, alright?"

She nodded. "You too, Harry."

He gave a small smile. "I told Ginny that we could give it a real go after this."

"Why, that's the most positive thing you've said all week."

"Shut it, Hermione…Where's Snape?"

"By Remus, making sure he's prepared."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That git."

"Where's Ron?"

He shrugged. "He disappeared saying something about Bill when I mentioned you."

"That git," Hermione replied.

"I still can't believe Ron's not talking to you."

"I was killing him with kindness yesterday."

"Mr. Weasley has his flaws," Severus said, walking up behind them.

"Alright," Moody's voice was heard over the whispering. "Prepare. Arms at the ready, we're opening up in a moment."

"Don't forget to stay within eyesight," Severus said to the two.

Hermione furrowed her brow; that wasn't her job or what they discussed. She, of course, made it her personal duty, but her main job was to keep Harry open and take down as many as she could. Although, they were sure that Voldemort already claimed his stake on Harry.

"Good luck, Professor," Harry said.

"Remember everything?"

Harry nodded.

"It can be painful."

"I'm ready," he said and then disappeared to stand at the front of the crowd.

Severus' gaze turned towards Hermione.

"Be careful, Severus."

He nodded. "You too."

"Constant vigilance!" Moody roared.

Hermione glanced back at Severus and her heart clenched; there was something about his expression that just wasn't right.

But before she could think about it, they were pushed among the throng of people filing onto the grounds.

As soon as the doors opened, it revealed the first group standing at the ready with Harry in the front.

He raised his wand high into the air. "Time to end this!"

A sea of wands raised behind him.

"It's now or never," Harry said more quietly.

Everybody nodded around him and Harry took it as the cue to lead everybody out. Once they made it past the castle's stairs, Harry hit the ground running.

"Ah, they're finally coming out," a sinister voice announced.

"My lord, what would you have us do?"

"Tell the front line to move and remember, no one touches Potter."

The hooded figure nodded.

"And remember Lucius, Severus is mine."

"Would you-"

"No, none of the others would stand a chance against him. I don't care of your personal vendetta. You are not to touch him."

Lucius bowed. "Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort looked out towards the field. "Go now and send them out. Tell Greyback to prepare by the forest. I want this over with before midnight."

Hermione ducked as Bellatrix's curse flew over her head and crashed right into Hagrid's hut, setting the cabin ablaze the second it hit.

Bellatrix cackled as Hermione looked up, but suddenly, the witch fell silent, and her eyes widened. Hermione raised her wand, but stilled as hundreds of giant spiders ran past her and onto the field.

"Bellatrix!" A voice roared from behind her. "Hermione, don't! She's mine!"

The older witch grinned. "Neville, come to join your parents?"

Neville was met with a wicked smile.

"I've come to avenge them!" He shouted, as he sent a fury of hexes at her.

Hermione swiftly put out the raging fire, as Bellatrix and Neville dueled fiercely on the cold ground.

Bellatrix laughed as a slashing hex grazed Neville's arm and he gasped.

"You can't lay a hex on me, boy! Just like your parents!"

"They fought!" Neville yelled.

"They withered before me! Mere heaps on the floor!"

Neville became incensed. "You're lying! Crucio!"

Bellatrix dodged the curse. "How dare you try that? Learn a lesson, Longbottom! Crucio!"

Neville hit the ground as soon as the spell hit him. Luckily, it was short-lived, because Hermione blasted Bellatrix off her feet.

Bellatrix was faster getting to her feet, and walked slowly over to Neville.

"Oh yes, it won't be long soon."

Neville's nostrils flared and his face contorted as Bellatrix raised her wand.

Neville flung his wand forward at the same time as Bellatrix screamed, "Avada Kedavra!"

The green light flashed as a giant object erupted out of the ground and blocked the spell.

Bellatrix shrieked as the massive Venomous Tentacula swayed in front of her.

Hermione and Neville watched in shock as the plant lunged forward and wrapped up the witch in its vines and dragged her back underground with it.

Hermione turned to Neville, who's eyes were huge.

"I didn't know it was going to do that. I saw it in a book."

Hermione patted him on the back. "You can add that to your spell book."

He nodded solemnly, as they raced back to join the masses further down the field.

Voldemort looked up towards the burning castle, which cast an eerie glow across the lawn and the lake.

"Lucius, where is Draco?"

"My Lord?"

"Why has he not updated back about the whereabouts of Potter?"

"My Lord, I have not seen him since you dismissed him. Perhaps he's in battle."

"You should hope so, Lucius. For your own sake," he hissed. "I-" he paused when he heard a hammering of hoofs behind him.

Suddenly, an arrow flew past Voldemort and pierced Lucius' shoulder; the blade just breaking past his cloak and imbedding itself. Within seconds, the herd of centaurs came charging through the forest and ran right past Voldemort. That was, after all, Harry Potter's fight.

Hermione and Harry had managed to incapacitate Fenrir Greyback, when they finally saw Severus again.

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry had a look of determination on his face. "Let's go. This ends now."

Hermione nodded as they set off towards the lake, dodging and flinging curses, ducking from arrows, and jumping around the occasional house elf.

As they neared closer to the lake, Hermione caught Voldemort out of the corner of her eye. At first, she thought that he noticed them, but then her eyes landed on Severus.

"Severus, Harry!" She exclaimed, pointing towards the serpentine figure. "He's going after Severus!"

Hermione never ran so fast in her life, the cold air burned her lungs and painfully stung her eyes. She felt Harry running next to her…They were almost there—And Severus was still dueling Yaxley.

Harry and Hermione saw Voldemort raise his wand, and two spells were instantly shot out; Harry's blasting Yaxley backwards, while Hermione's harmlessly knocked Severus out of Voldemort's way.

When Severus looked up, he saw Voldemort looming over him.

"Why Severus, it's so good that you remembered my promise-"

"Riddle!" Harry bellowed.

Voldemort briefly paused, before flicking his wand at Severus and then at Harry, the spell tripping him.

He sneered, turned back to Severus, whose wand landed a few feet away and raised his wand.

"Protego!" Hermione screamed, stopping right behind Severus

Whatever spell Voldemort shot ricocheted off the shield, and Hermione was knocked off her feet by Yaxley. She looked up just in time to see Severus shoot a rather nasty hex at the Death Eater, and then turned to fight off Lucius, who appeared behind them.

"Riddle!" Harry bellowed.

"You dare use my name?" He hissed.

"This ends now."

He scoffed. "So pompous. The only thing ending tonight is your life, Harry."

"It's over, Tom. All of your Horcruxes are gone—destroyed."

"My dear boy, you are delusional-"

Harry smirked. "The diary? The diadem? Destroyed. Have you checked Nagini lately?"

Voldemort's nostrils flared and he raised his wand.

Harry met his spell and the battle broke out.

After Severus' hex wore off, Yaxley came charging at Hermione. They were in a heated duel, until Yaxley sent a knockback jinx. Grinning, he sent jinx after jinx, and Hermione kept slipping closer to the lake. There was a brief pause in spells and Hermione quickly raised her wand, but another jinx sent her backwards and her wand flying.

Her eyes looked around; Angelina was busy helping Katie Bell, Harry and Voldemort were dueling, and Severus was still dueling with Lucius. Yaxley hooted at Hermione's attempts to summon her wand. She felt completely and utterly helpless. It was then when Angelina spotted her, and Snape finally bound Lucius.

"Accio-" Hermione tried, but Yaxley forced her back harder this time, and she fell onto the rock behind her.

As soon as she got up, she saw two robed figures heading towards Severus, as he quickly snapped Lucius' wand. Severus was a free-for-all now that Voldemort hadn't dealt with him.

"SEV-" Hermione screamed, before she slipped backwards.

In that split second, Severus looked up and blew one of the Death Eaters away, but Angelina wasn't quick enough. The other fired a curse and the blue jet slammed into Severus, propelling him into the tree behind him.

"Stupefy!" Angelina exclaimed, and the Death Eater fell over. "Petrificus Totalis!"

"Expelliarmus!" Another yelled, and Angelina's wand went sprawling across the grass.

With quick thinking, Angelina grabbed the stunned Death Eater's wand and began another duel.

Hermione watched as Severus flew through the air and smashed into a tree—barely twenty feet away from her and laid unmoving.

"Accio wand!"

Nothing happened and she nearly fell off the rock.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and didn't get up right away. She had to help him. If only Yaxley would just stop. She felt completely helpless; Severus was completely helpless. She began to shake with anger and only one thing popped into her head: Unos diligo vivo.

Hermione was so focused on the phrase, she never noticed Severus sit up. He tried to stand up, but his knees buckled and he hit the ground; his body wracked with uncontrollable shaking.

"Yaxley," Hermione grit, as she tried to get up.

"Had enough, have you?" He menaced and shot a spell at Hermione, but once it hit her, the spell blew right past.

Yaxley was stunned; all he could do was stare, before shooting another jinx, the same result happening as before.

Hermione finally stood up, her eyes taking on a peculiar hue.

Yaxley started to step away, but before he had a chance, Hermione swiped her hand and he was blown backwards, tumbling past Snape.

Severus quickly glanced at the raging duel between Harry and Voldemort, before turning his attention to Hermione. He hoped the shaking was affecting his vision, because Hermione was starting to glow.

Severus looked at her, then around him—centaurs were towering over Death Eaters, elves were flying through the air, giants were picking people off by the castle, and duels were scattered everywhere. He hoped that Harry was far enough away from what Hermione was about to do.

He was freezing; every inch of his body felt like he was submerged in ice water.

"Stop!" Hermione shouted, as magic built up around her. She felt all of her magic – from her toes to the tips of her fingers gather in her center. Right when she felt like the magic couldn't grow anymore, she released the tremendous wave of magic around her.

The raw magic moved so fast through the air, an ear-splitting crack was heard and echoed across the grounds. Nothing stood in its way; people and centaurs were thrust backwards, rocks were lifted off the ground and flew into the lake, and Voldemort looked up for a split second.

The moment Severus saw Harry advancing, he steadied his wand and whispered the spell they had one shot at. An electric green bolt escaped Severus' wand and continued until it hit Harry right in the forehead. With the impact, Harry staggered backwards and clutched his forehead – a blinding light was being emitted from his scar.

As he yelled in agony, Voldemort turned around and his lips curled up.

Harry swiftly pulled out his wand and screamed.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

When the spell hit Voldemort, a ghost like version of him was ripped from Harry's scar and dissolved into the fallen body.

Harry tried to raise his wand again, but the pain tearing through his body was tremendous and he fell to his knees.

Snape watched as Harry fell, his agonized yell heard throughout the grounds. He tried lifting his wand, but the shaking had become too intense; he couldn't aim straight.

By the forest's edge, Ron stood frozen. Voldemort was starting to get up, Harry was still keeled over, and Snape was lying against the tree.

In a few quick steps, Ron ran forwards and threw his wand out.

"Avada Kedavra!" He bellowed, and Voldemort fell…Fell for the final time.

After his body hit the ground, Harry let out an excruciating scream, as his scar was torn from his forehead and floated to Voldemort's still body in a ghostly form.

Severus watched in disbelief as his arm seared painfully and his dark mark ripped itself away from his arm. As soon as it was gone, he grabbed his arm and it took everything for him not to scream. Severus watched as his mark joined the sea of ghost-like shapes floating towards the serpent's body.

Once all of the shapes were hovering around Voldemort, they exploded into him in a blinding light that flashed across the entirety of Hogwarts. When the light went out, Voldemort's body had disappeared, never to be seen again.

Ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm, Severus looked over to find Hermione lying on the ground next to the rock that she was on. He steadied himself and stood, making his way as quickly as he could to her. As soon as reached her, he collapsed to his knees.

"Hermione," Severus said, as he gently shook her shoulders. "Come on," he continued, as he checked for a pulse.

"Please Hermione," he tried, his shaking getting worse.

Very slowly, Hermione cracked an eyelid. "The spell," she choked.

"I know…Hermione—" He stopped as she grabbed his shaking hand.

"Don't you dare," Severus whispered. "You cannot leave. I didn't fight through this mess for you, just for you to take your leave."

A faint smile tugged at Hermione's lips, before her eyes fluttered shut.

"Hermione?"

No response.

Severus looked around quickly and a thought struck him—the necklaces. Of all the ridiculous things, Severus pulled open a Christmas cracker and two necklaces popped out that when joined together, made a serpent. Over the last week, he noticed that Hermione was still wearing her half, after she had commandeered it from him. He decided to charm the necklaces that morning, as an extra insurance for the battle.

With a quivering hand, he yanked his half from under his shirt and joined it with Hermione's half. When the two pieces joined, they glowed blue and Severus could feel himself losing energy. In one swift movement, he picked Hermione up and stood–nearly falling over. He liked to think the extra weight slowed the shaking in his legs a bit.

With a determined face, Severus took one shaky step after another, heading straight for the castle steps. Several times, he nearly fell, but he couldn't let the unthinkable happen.

The stairs were the hardest. Each step he took, his knees wanted to buckle. There were shouts and yells echoing from behind them, while the grounds were being searched for survivors. Screams could be heard about Harry, but he ignored them all. Once he got to where the giant oak doors used to stand, he crossed the threshold and the castle was hauntingly quiet.

It seemed to take forever to reach the Entrance Hall, which was serving as an impromptu Hospital Wing. His shaking had become almost unbearable and he felt as though he was in the Arctic. The closer he got to the entrance, the more frequently his vision would go black, but he kept pushing forwards—he had to make it.

When he crossed the threshold, Molly was walking towards the door.

"Severus!" She exclaimed and then saw his blue-ish complexion. "Poppy! And Hermione! Dear God!" She said, as she rushed over to them.

That was the last thing he saw, before everything went black and he collapsed on the floor.

A/N: "Dance with the Devil" is titled after the same song by Breaking Benjamin. I think I forgot to mention earlier that this story is called "Arise," which was inspired by a few lines of the Flyleaf song, "Arise."

Thanks for all of your support (reading, reviewing, favoriting, following)! I really appreciate it! Updates may be not be as quick as they were for the first ten or so chapters. The new school year has started and e-Learning is currently winning (Me - 1, e-Learning 3).