A/N: I'm not even going to apologise. I know you feel it's getting repetitive. Yet I can't help it, it's taking time to write. New work, familial obligations keep me away from writing. But I'll fulfil my vow to finish this fic. I don't want to rush it much.

So without further ado, here's the 10th chapter of Dark is all that's left!

--

Next Day,

All house banners in the Great Hall were replaced with the Hogwarts banner and a black banner depicting loss and mourning. Late into the night, the old Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts had passed away in the presence of all staff members and his favourite pupil Harry Potter. There was not an eye that didn't shed tears for the eccentric Headmaster, bar few in the Slytherin table who hung their heads unwilling to show any emotion, be it of mourning or elation. The new Headmistress stood somberly at the lectern as last of the students filed into the Great Hall.

She stepped towards the lectern where once her friend and mentor Albus stood, and addressed the assembled student body. "Students! A grave tragedy has struck Hogwarts. Early hours this morning, Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore lost his fight with death. He was hit with an ancient curse that didn't have any cure. He succumbed to the curse early hours in his personal quarters. A brave man who has always fought for the good of everyone, the very man who defeated Grindelwald and the Great War, the man who stood for the rights of the innocent and helpless has left our existence to the Next Great Adventure as he frequently said. His loss has left a void in the wizarding world, a loss that cannot be replaced with mere words. His last message to all the beloved students of Hogwarts were: To always fight for what you think is right. It's never too late to repent your mistakes and turn towards the right path. The war is coming soon and regrettably the innocent students will have to take a side. No matter what, protect the innocent and don't do anything that you might regret later. Hope I don't see you all for long on this side of the Veil - Albus Dumbledore."

Harry, who stood towards the end of the table with Ginny, Neville and Ron, openly cried having seen another of his loved one dying for him. Neville and Ron too cried at the loss of their Headmaster. Ginny, however, couldn't really care, yet for the sake of appearances, shed tears while she held Harry at his shoulders.

At another corner of the Hall at the Slytherin table stood the boy with platinum blonde hair, the mischievous smirk and smile missing, his posture drooping almost at the hopelessness of the situation. Draco Malfoy had lost all his arrogance once he saw what the Dark Lord was really, he had seen his mother crucio'd for his father's indiscretions and failures. He had become a shell of his former self watching the Dark Lord and his death eaters committing atrocities in his house. Atrocities he couldn't bare to look, murder, torture and other vile things his father and his old friends partook along with Greyback the werewolf. He lost the contents of his stomach, the first time he was forced to torture a muggle girl. Her screams still haunt his dreams, she had the same red blood as him. Her begging and pleading reminded him of the truth of the so called Dark side. He couldn't fight for anyone, he just wanted to get away from it all. The only person he cared was his mother. He wished he could flee to another part of the world with his mother, yet he knew the Dark Lord will hunt them down. His only hope that Potter could somehow defeat the Dark Lord and his father.

McGonagall finished addressing the student body "... whomever wishes to pay their respects to Albus may join us tomorrow morning near the Black Lake at 7am. Classes have been cancelled for the week. You may return to your dorms post breakfast."

Meanwhile, Riddle Manor

Narcissa couldn't help but feel sad for the witch sleeping peacefully under the effects of dreamless sleep potion and calming draught. She had been under the cruciatus quite frequently now a days. Her body had been frail since last year and spent much of it resting in her wing at Malfoy Manor. Her entire family destroyed in the attack at the Manor. The Dark Lord had become unhinged post the attack, and she feared for Draco's life. Thankfully he had been allowed to go back to Hogwarts. She would really love to flee Britain if she could with her only remaining family that she could still salvage. One way or another, Lucius was bound to perish, he was unrepentant in his actions and she really wished her son wouldn't be dragged into this mess.

Only time will tell how much of her wish comes true, she could only hope.

7pm, Acid Factory

"I hear thunder! I hear thunder! Oh! Don't you! Oh! Don't you! Pitter patter bloody drops! Pitter patter bloody drops! You're wet through!" Echoed the eerie rhyme in a hauntingly childish tone.

Hermione skipped through the hallway into the large chamber holding the greasy potions master.

Severus could hear the witch's voice, as that was the only other thing apart from the constant dripping he could hear. His face soaked in blood and streaks of dried blood along his face and neck gave him an otherworldly appearance.

At first he thought he could wither away whatever arcane torture method the witch was using, however, as minutes turned to hours and hours to days, his resolve broke, the constant void, he couldn't hear himself scream, the fatigue lead him to hallucinations as he could feel Lily's emerald green eyes peering at him from the top. The blood he felt that of Lily's whom he failed to protect. It had driven him nearly to insanity. Now weeks later he spends his time screaming for it to stop, screaming for Lily's forgiveness, wishing that Hermione would stop and end his misery.

"Wakey-wakey! Little old bat!" crooned Hermione as she removed the charms to hold his head in place. The flow of blood stopped as well. "Told you, I'll break you, make you scream. Seems I don't even need Legilimency, you pretty much rant and rave it day in day out. Who knew, the big bad bat had hearts for Harry's mum. Ewww creepy! I hope you don't see Harry that way just cause of his eyes. I'm not sure that you comprehend or not, but I got Dumbledore. It was a shot in the dark, yet it worked. The savior, Merlin incarnate died a fool's death. My curse! Sevvy! The Mudblood filth took out Lord of the Light!" finished the dark haired witch with a manic cackle.

The broken potions master could only beg "Please! Hermione! Kill me! Kill me, I can't take it more. I can't take it. I'm sorry, I don't want to live! I beg of you! I failed you, Lily! Forgive me, Lily! I'm sorry. I'm really sorry! Lily, I couldn't keep my vow! I couldn't protect him! Kill me please!" The moment he mentioned his vow, Hermione smirked victoriously.

"Oh damn! Looks like I broke this one too! None of my toys last! Oh well, as Mum used to say, get rid of broken stuff. It's a bad omen to keep broken stuff. Hmmmm, where to put you… I know, let's get you ready for the Next Great Adventure!" finished Hermione as she got an idea. She chucked the Daily Prophet in her hands and lifted the potions master with a wave of her hand and levitated him behind her as she moved him to her laboratory of sorts.

The Prophet lay on the ground, an article detailing the funeral arrangements for the Headmaster proposed to take place the next day.

--

A/N: Please let me know if you like it, hate it or it's just okay. Whatever comes to your mind, blurt it out in the comments section. I'm really looking forward to a few more comments. I'd love to know how this story is progressing for you.

Until next time, Cheers!!!