The Ministry fell in two hours. Members of the Wizengamot scurried to snivel and congratulate the new minister of Magic. Kingsley Shaklebot shook each hand that reached him with a measured smile. Only those who knew him better could see the truth his eyes contained. Predator eyes, scanning each sycophant one by one. He would remember each of their names. He named Percy his secretary within the first 10 minutes of his mandate. Always efficient, the red head opened his satchel, and took out a huge folder. E was soon barking orders written by the Furies across each department. Floor by floor, he requested an immediate interview with dark wizards. Combined with Tonk's last year's effort in shadow recruitment among the Aurors, all death eaters within the ministry were identified and arrested before tea time.

Some would resist arrest. In those few occasions, Aurors had been firmly instructed to light up a specific spell and leave the area. They did as they were told, closing their eyes to avoid seeing the shadow of the Red Fury. As silent as deadly, she didn't take any pleasure in the killings.

Mmh. Maybe a little.

When Dolores Umbridge showed up at the other side of her knife, she paused for a second to savor the thought of inflicting her some pain. She remembered she had no time to play, and ended the pink toad before the bitch screeched her Avada.

-o0o-

It was terrifying to see how quickly Draco was able to summon all those important wizards and witches embezzled in Malfoy schemes. They came in a long line of beggars at the goblin bank, and did as ordered, closing their funds to anyone remotely connected to Voldemort. Effective immediately. Should Voldemort or one of his minions initiate contact for any kind of support, no help back would be provided. And this would never get back to Draco, as part of the agreement was an unbreakable bond to never give his name. If they were willing to pay that price, Draco offered them their soul back, with no hefty fine to pay. A fair deal for people who made a pact with the devil.

One of the indebted decided to bargain for some Malfoy gold as an added bonus. Draco frowned. He had no time for that. "Here is my counter-offer. By the bidding of your soul, I command you to offer yourself to the dragon guarding my aunt's coffers." The cursed man's legs moved on their own accord, even as the man protested. Draco shut him up with a switch of his wand. "I want you to be conscious until the end." He then turned to the others in the room, and raised an eyebrow. "Anyone else want to negotiate?"

Once again, their careful planning and a smidge of ruthlessness was all that was needed to deliver.

-o0o-

Severus was at his third kill and Hermione was fighting with her fourth assailant. The gaunt man in front of her smiled, revealing the gap between his front teeth. She smiled back, circling in a dance she enjoyed very much. Severus wiped his knife, observing the woman he loved. She looked like a war goddess. She had this feral smile she always had when she enjoyed doing something. Her hair surrounded her like a halo, crackling with her riotous raw power. He almost missed the hex sent their way, and his Protego couldn't protect him from the entire sting of the spell. He cursed under his breath when he realized his seconds of inattention had allowed two new death eaters to join the fight, creating an imbalance. Soon, Severus and Hermione were overwhelmed under dark spells. One of the death eaters threw a Bombarda on the building near Hermione, and the building's collapsed, separating them. Severus panicked, not seeing his partner anymore. Two nasty slicing spells came out of the hazy scene and killed two of the death eaters facing them.

That's my girl.

The cloud of smoke dissipated, and Severus was surprised to see Ginny's redhead. He threw an Avada to another death eater. Ginny turned to him and yelled with the code they created a while ago. "Athena is down! We're taking her to the children!" She apparated away with Hermione, and Severus followed her almost immediately to the school. First though, he threw one last test tube, filled with a potion they had invented especially for the occasion. Anyone within a ten feet radius would die quickly. Based on his count, that would be at least four other opponents. The night has been worthwhile.

-o0o-

Apparating at the Hogwarts' infirmary, Severus approached Ginny while Poppy casted a series of diagnostic spells on Hermione. He asked, curious, "How did you know to get to her so fast?"

Behind the redhead, he watched Harry administering potions and Ron Weasley chanting healing spells on their best friend. He remembered the little witch who stole his heart was surrounded by friends, and felt some relief.

"Hermione and I performed Agapimeni , a greek ritual of protection the oracle taught her, when we started the Furies. It was used by the oracles to protect each other, usually in pairs. It ensures both parties know if the other is in mortal danger."

Severus continued, "I heard of it, but doesn't it require the virgin blood of the participants?"

Ginny chewed on her lips, looking at Hermione who was now awake but slightly comatose in the infirmary bed. Minerva was already at her bedside, offering some chocolate. The view made the redhead feel better. Her best friend was safe. They would win the war tonight. She turned back to Severus.

"Only one. When I heard about Hermione's idea about going to Voldemort, I knew he would rape her. I didn't want him to take that from her. He would have stolen some of her virgin blood and used it against her. We both know what he could make with certain potions..." She stopped, clearly overwhelmed with her own emotions. "So I gave her two conditions. One, we went to the dark forest for her to be blessed by the unicorns. Second, I took her virginity myself."

Both Harry and Severus choke.

"Excuse me?!"

"What? It had to be done." She shrugged. "And she deserved to remember what good sex meant before Tom fucked up with her mind. You should thank me, Severus. Naughty Hermione only exists because of me. Now, go take care of her so she can answer Tom's call. The battle has started, so you'll have to live to hear the story."

Severus pushed his hands on his eye sockets. "That's it. You can enucleate me."

Harry snorted."I find that pretty sexy."

"I'm sure you do, Potter. You two and my godson have filthy minds."

Ginny stuck her tongue out. "Since you're so rude, I'll let you guess if I did it looking like myself or like someone else."

With a laugh, Harry grabbed her by the hand, and kissed her temple. "Let's have a quick bite while Hermione recuperates. The last battle will start soon enough. Maybe you can help me prepare the ring?"

Severus didn't hear him whisper in her ear, "Tell me, did Herm ask you to twirl in your robes and to call you 'professor'?"

Ginny elbowed him, giggling, "A girl must keep her secrets."