Chapter 27 Fred! Why? Fred!
Authors Note: Sorry this update is kind of late. I've just been busy and stressed lately but I promised myself I would get it out this weekend. Anyway, there will be two more chapters. I can't believe the story is coming to an end. Almost three months of my life I have been writing this. Enjoy!
Oooo
Hermione had finally caught up with Ron and Harry. The Death Eaters had broken into the castle. Various order members and students were in raging battles against Death Eaters. Among them were Fred and Percy Weasley, battling Pius Thicknesse. In the chaos, Percy quickly sent a jinx at Thicknesse, knocking him off his feet.
"Hey Thicknesse, consider that my resignation!" Fred, having not heard Percy crack a joke in forever, broke out laughing. Lowering his guard. Suddenly a curse hit the wall causing it to collapse. Filling the hall with dust and killing Fred. Percy became hysterical as he threw himself on top of Fred's motionless body. A pained sob escaped the lips of Ron as he ran forward. Harry and Hermione soon after. Seconds later Percy ran after Rookwood, believing he was the one to take Fred's life while the Golden Trio carefully carried Fred's body back into the Great Hall.
After Fred was placed on a mate with the Weasley family surrounding him Hermione took in the room. Dead and injured bodies lay all around. Remus and Tonks now lay still on the ground. Officially leaving their son Teddy as an orphan of the war. George was clinging onto his dead twin brother as the Weasley's huddled together in a rain of tears. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Harry leaving the hall. She knew she had to chase after him but first they needed Ron. She ran over to the huddle and he immediately threw his arms around her.
She began to softly stroke his hair. "Ronald I am so sorry. But you have to keep fighting. For Fred. We have to win this war." He slowly started to nod his head. Tears were staining his freckled face. She carefully led him from the hall and in the direction Harry went. "Harry! Harry Potter you stop right there!" He slowly turned around and was meet with a pale Ron and black eyed Hermione. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Shrieking Shack."
"And why is that?" She was lightly tapping her foot with her hands on her hips.
"I saw Voldemort there."
"Harry. When are you going to get this into your head? We are in this together. Now let's go." The three quickly set off into the cold night. Appearing in Hogsmeade to go to the outside of the Shrieking Shack. Upon getting there they stopped just outside one of the windows. Voldemort and Snape standing within the dark dusty shack. Deep in conversation.
"You have performed extraordinary magic with this wand my Lord, in the last few hours alone." Snape was standing near the window while Voldemort was walking around. His snake closely by his side.
"No… no … I am extraordinary but the wand resist me."
"There is no wand more powerful. Ollivander himself said it. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it. It answers to you and you only." The pair were now standing face to face. An evil glint in Voldemort's eyes as the Golden Trio tried to get a peak.
"Does it?"
"My Lord?" Unease was appearing on Severus's face as he tried to understand what Voldemort was saying.
"The wand, does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man Severus, surely you must know." He began to circle Snape like a predator to prey. "Where does its true loyalties lay?"
Snape's mask was beginning to crack as he turned to face Voldemort. Hermione's black eyes were blazing with emotion as she surveyed the scene before her. She never personally liked professor Snape but she was scared. Scared for him. Scared for Draco. Scared about everything. "With you. Of course, my Lord."
"The Elder wand cannot serve me properly because… I am not its true master. The Elder wand belongs to the wizard who killed it last owner. You killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live the Elder wand cannot truly be mine. You've been a good and faithful servant Severus. But only I can live forever." Snape's composure fell. He knew what was about to happen. The fear in his eyes was becoming harder to mask. There was no point in fighting. He would never win.
"My Lord." A quick slash of the wand from Voldemort created a slit in Severus's throat. He fell to the floor gasping for air as Hermione tried to stop herself from screaming. How could someone kill another that easily.
"Nagini kill." Several bites to the throat left Snape barely breathing. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as Voldemort apparitied away.
The Golden Trio carefully walked inside. Harry dropped to his knees as Hermione and Ron stood back. Silver tears began to escape his eyes. "Take them. Take them. Please."
"Give me something. Anything! Like a flask!" Hermione stepped forward, unable to produce a word but still managed to give Harry a vial.
"Take them to the pensive… Look at me… You have your mother's eyes…" With those last words, Snape inhaled his last breath as his eyes fluttered close.
Hermione let a single tear escape her black orbs. Was It possible that Snape wasn't all that bad? "I have to go to Hogwarts. I have to look at these memories."
Suddenly Voldemort's booming voice broke over the grounds. "You have all fought bravely but it is time to stop. I called my Death Eaters back. Count you dead and mourn your losses. But now I speak directly to Harry Potter. How many people are you going to let die for you. Don't waste another hour of my time. I'll be in the forbidden forest."
Hermione grabbed Harrys hand before the three made their way back to Hogwarts. Harry went up to Dumbledore's office while Hermione and Ron sat on the steps.
"Hermione?"
"Mhm."
"Why are your eyes black?"
Her head immediately shot up to look him in the eyes. It's not like she forgot about Draco or the Veela thing it's just that she always tried to conceal her eyes. But now according to Ron they were pure black and she couldn't do anything. She couldn't lie or say he must be seeing things. In all honestly her eyes were probably black during the whole thing but this was the only down time he could ask her about it.
"Oh um… that's been happening since sixth year." She hoped that would be enough.
"Okay but why?" Crap. She didn't want to lie but this wasn't really the moment to talk about the Veela thing.
"Ronald I just want you to know that I love you… as a friend." His face fell a little but he tried to keep the smile.
"I know."
"You know?"
"I know you don't like me like that but I was hoping you would change your mind. But if you happy I'm happy."
"Thank you, Ron." She quickly hugged him as Harry started to descend the stairs behind them.
"Are you okay?" Hermione was the first on her feet.
"I'm going to the forest."
"Are you mad? No, you can't give yourself up to him!" Hermione held Ron back because his anger was bubbling. He wanted Voldemort dead as much as Harry did. Especially now that one of his brothers was dead. But Hermione knew sometimes Ron's vison got clouded and he wouldn't understand.
"What is it Harry? What is it that you know?" Hermione was looking deep into Harry's green eyes. She could read the understanding on his features.
"There's a reason I can hear them, the horcruxes. I think I've known for a while now and I think you have too."
Hermione let out a whimper as she stepped forward. "I'll go with you."
"No, kill the snake. Kill the snake and then its just him." Hermione quickly closed the space between them. She wrapped her arms around him as tightly as possible. Afraid to let go. This would be the last time she would see him alive. He slowly stepped back and her hands fell from his body. He quickly turned around and began walking down the stairs. Ron went to the Great Hall to be with his family while Hermione ran in the other direction. Ending up in a completely untouched deserted corridor. She sank to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees while she cried. She didn't know how long she cried before someone found her. Seconds, minutes, hours, the pain felt the same. The person sank onto the floor next to her. Wrapping their arms around her waist and lifting her onto their lap. She shifted her form. Crying into their chest and gripping the fabric of their shirt with her bruised bloody hands. She slowly inhaled the comforting scent. Draco.
"Hermione what's wrong?" His arms had a secure hold on her as her words came out muffled against his chest.
"Harry dead Voldemort horcrux snake war over."
In all honesty, Draco has no clue what she was saying so he just started to rub her back and whisper comforting words into her ear. Her crying eventually stopped but the pair just sat there're in silence. Night has turned to day as the window shown light onto the pair.
"I love your Draco."
"I love you too Hermione." He softly kissed the top of her head. Suddenly a sea of black filled the window as tons of Death Eaters poured into the grounds of Hogwarts. "Hermione, we have to go." The pair quickly stood and raced down the many flights of stairs. Joining the order members and students who had begun to fill out into the courtyard.
Hermione stood near the front with the Weasley's and Neville. While Draco stood towards the back. Masked in the group of students.
"Neville who is that? Hagrid's carrying? Neville who is it?" Ginny was frantically trying to identify the body.
"Harry Potter is dead!"
"No!" Ginny tried to run forward but was quickly stopped by her father.
"Stupid girl! Harry Pitter is dead. This day forth you put your faith in me!" Voldemort turned around and quickly addressed his followers. "Harry Potter is dead!" Laughing and cheering broke out from the sea of black. "Now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us or die." No one moved.
"Draco!" Lucius called for his only son. Hermione turned around and locked eyes with him. The fear on his face was visible. He told Hermione that he was sorry with his eyes. But he most go. "Draco."
"Draco, come." Narcissa finally called him and he slowly walked over. Unable to deny his mother.
"Ah, well done Draco. Well done." He walked over to his mother and locked eyes with Hermione from the way. He could feel her anger and hurt but he could also feel her understanding and forgiveness. This was how it was meant to be. Or at least for now.
Neville slowly started to walk forward and Hermione let out a whimper of shock. "Well I must say I was hoping for better. And who might you be young man?"
"Neville Longbottom." The crowd erupted into a fit of laughter.
"Well Neville I'm sure we can find a pace for you in out ranks."
"I'd like to say something." Voldemort looked like he was fighting with his answer.
"Well Neville I'm sure we would all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."
"It doesn't matter that's Harrys gone."
"Stand down Neville." Seamus was trying to stop his friend from being killed.
"People die every day! Friends. Family. Yeah, we lost Harry tonight. But he's still with us, in here. So is Fred, and Remus, and Tonks, all of them. They didn't die in vain but you will! Because your wrong! Harry's heart did beat for us, for all of us! It's not over!" Neville pulled the Gryffindor sword out of the sorting hat as Harry fell from Hagrid's arms. His heart still beating. Gasps were heard as Harry put some distance between himself and Voldemort.
"Potter!" Draco ran forward, tossing Harry his wand while even more gasp went through the crowds. Hermione was beaming at her best friend and the love of her life.
"Confringo!" Death Eaters started to disappear as Voldemort looked around in panic. Draco and Harry ran into the Great Hall with the rest of the warriors. "Get everyone into the castle. We have to kill the snake." Neville ran forward to attack the snake but was blown backwards by a spell.
New battles were rising everywhere. Hermione and Draco were battling Rookwood and Dolohov. Ginny and Molly where fighting Bellatrix. Harry with Voldemort and tons of others. Spells were flying in all directions. After beating their set of Death Eaters Hermione and Draco ran hand in hand. Looking for others. Suddenly Nagini the snake appeared from nowhere and began to attack them. They gried countless spell after spell but nothing worked. They were trapped. Instinctively Draco's wings appeared and wrapped themselves around Hermione. He was shielding her so the snake would only get to attack and kill him. But out of nowhere Neville came charging towards the snake with the sword in hand. Chopping off the head in one swift motion. The normal black mist seeped out as Hermione touched Draco's wings. Earning a shiver from him.
"Why are you always so fascinated by my wings?" He was being serious but the amusement in his eyes was undeniable.
"Not everyone has them."
"I'm not everyone." He had a smirk on his pale features as he helped her up. The pair rushed outside. Harry and Voldemort stopped midbattle. Feeling the death of the snake. Of the last horcrux.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Both spells collided in the middle. Red started to overpower green as Voldemort was struggling to hold his wand steady. Suddenly the Dark Lords wand went flying from his hand and landed perfectly into Harrys outstretched one. It was over. The spell rebounded and killed him. Voldemort's cold, motionless body, lay rigid on the floor. The war was over. They won. Cheers broke out as the mass of pupils flooded into the Great Hall. However, Hermione and Draco stayed hidden in the shadows for just a minute longer.
"Ready to tell the word about us?"
"I hope no one tries to kill you."
"What?" Panic flashed in Draco's eyes as he looked down at his mate. She had a smirk on her face but her eyes portrayed a serious note.
"I love you."
"I love you." They intertwined their fingers before moving from the shadows and stepping in front of the open doors. All eyes turned to them. Draco's grip tightened as Hermione quietly whispered to herself.
"I can't believe I'm about to do this." Before Draco could even answer her lips were pressed passionately to his. His arms instinctively went around her waist to pull her closer while hers wrapped around his neck. The rest of the word disappeared as they continued to kiss. Loving the taste of the other. In the background gasps, wolf-whistles, and cheering could be heard from within the hall.