"Why didn't you tell us this before?!" Ginny demanded, anger rising behind her warm brown eyes.

Quickly shushing the girl, Hermione cast her eyes suspiciously around the Great Hall, making sure no one was overhearing their conversation. "Because we were busy!" Hermione whispered harshly back to the redhead. "We had to focus on Neville's Patronus; even Harry agreed that we should focus on that –"

"And that's another thing; how come you've been talking to Harry this entire time and didn't mention it to us?"

"Well…"

"Ginny, calm down! I'm sure Hermione wanted to tell us but thought it would be safer not to. I kind of have to agree with her there…" Neville spoke calmly, doing his best to sooth Ginny's ire.

"But –"

"Anyways, you both know now, we can argue later in private," Hermione interrupted, cutting Ginny off before she could start yelling again. "As I was saying, Harry needs the sword of Gryffindor and – before you ask, no, I can't tell you why just yet – I know it's in the headmaster's office. So what we need to do is –"

"Get into Snape's office, steal it, and get it out of the castle so Harry can come and get it," Neville finished for her.

"So we need a plan," Ginny concluded, a frown still set in her features. It would apparently take some time for the redhead to forgive Hermione's secrecy.

"Agreed. But… I think this conversation would be best held where ears aren't as greedy…" Hermione suggested, eyes on the Carrow twins who had just entered the hall with bloodthirsty grins.


"Go on now, 'Mione. How're we going to get the sword?" Ginny asked some time later. The four of them walked alone along the pebbled beach of the Black Lake all bundled in their scarves, gloves, hats, and winter robes. November had arrived, and with it, winter weather. To Hermione's right, the lake spread out almost to the horizon, partially frozen. Snow crunched beneath her feet. To give her friend credit, Ginny had not badgered her about talking to Harry or their plans for retrieving the sword until this moment, far away from those who would too gladly like to learn of their plans.

"I dare say the easiest way would be to figure out his password and sneak in while we know he's away and steal it before he returns. I could possibly figure out a way to duplicate it, so Snape would have to closely examine the sword to see that it was a replica…" It sounded almost too easy, which caused Hermione to feel unsure of herself. Doubt was never a friend to her.

"Sounds simple enough," Luna agreed, skipping along in the snow a few paces ahead of them.

"Until we find another way, I say we stick to the obvious plan," Neville agreed, watching as Luna bobbed away happily. With her eyes the boy, Hermione wondered how long Neville's crush on the eccentric blonde had been developing. Had she really missed the obvious affection he held for her until now? "But I think we should talk about reforming Dumbledore's Army. Hermione, we need to do more. More and more students are being sent to the Hospital Wing each week because of the Carrows! I heard a third year had to be sent to St. Mungo's because they cornered her in the corridor after dark and tortured her until she told them what she was up to. The poor girl had just returned from a detention! Even Snape was pissed…"

"Yeah, I heard something like that," Hermione said, eyes downcast. Hogwarts was becoming a true house of horrors in the past few weeks. For his part, Snape didn't seem to encourage the tormenting of students, but the new headmaster was hardly present enough to keep the Carrows in line. "How should we pass the message along? Does everyone still have their coins or do we have to go around by word of mouth?"

"Actually… most of the Gryffindors already know…" Ginny confessed.

"And the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs! Everyone's really excited," Luna said cheerfully, despite Hermione's deepening scowl of frustration.

"What? You told them?"

"Well, it was Neville's idea! He thought that if more people knew, they could help convince you and we could get started."

"Neville!"

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but I need to do something! I can't just sit around here while Harry and Ron are out there doing whatever it is their doing to help fight against –"

"So you all decided to just go along with it? What if a professor found out – or the Carrows!" Hermione argued fiercely. "This is dangerous! You think it was hard to keep it from Umbridge? It'll be like sneaking around the school with ten of her stalking around! There are Death Eaters in the school!"

"We all believe it's worth it, 'Mione. This war that's happening… it's not just out there; it's in here – in Hogwarts – too. We all have to do our part. And just feeding information back to Harry isn't enough." Hermione stared at her friend. Neville was right. Hermione couldn't hide behind her books and cleverness anymore. It was about time she lived up to her Gryffindor heart.

"You're right… of course, you're all right. We'll start this weekend. Round everyone up – we'll meet in the Room of Requirement and start with what Professor Black taught us earlier this term." She could do this… She would do this! She would take Harry's place and teach their friends how to protect themselves against the likes of the Carrows and give them a fighting chance in this war.

"Brilliant!" Neville grinned.

"Finally!" Ginny grabbed her by the arm and shook her excitedly.

"I can't wait to see everyone's Patronuses!" Luna grinned skipping back over to them.

The four friends, all warmed by their newfound purpose, grinned at each other. Maybe we can do this, protect the school… none of the old professors would stop us… they might actually help us… Optimistic, Hermione urged them back towards the school, their conversation turning back to the topic of the sword.

And then suddenly, they heard a scream cut through the frigid air, reaching them like an icy wind piercing their skin. Far ahead of them, Hermione saw a few specks in the distance. The shapes of two first or second years stood out plainly against the white background of the school grounds; as was the cloaked shape looming above them.

"NO!" Hermione screamed, breaking into a run.

Young students like them wouldn't know the charm… they're defenseless… behind her, Hermione heard her three friends running as well.

She watched as one of the girls fell to the ground and the other kept screaming, louder and louder all the time. We're not going to make it, Hermione thought panicked. Poor girls… going to lose souls… can't let it happen!

Her breath came in short clouds from her lips and she felt a stitch begin to form in her side. Have to save them…

And then, as if materializing from the shadows, a figure dressed entirely in black robes surged forward towards the girls and the Dementor. The figure whipped out their wand; their hood falling back and releasing a cascade of black curls. With a swish, a creature burst from the tip of the wand, running into the wind, on the attack against the Dementor. The skeletal beast flapped its leathery wings ferociously and kicked at the ghostly creature of darkness.

The ethereal Thestral chased away the Dementor, sharp teeth snapping at the billowing cloak until it was not even a black speck in the distance.

The four older students, finally catching up to the scene, all came to a halt, painting and marvelling at Professor Black's Patronus.

The Thestral returned, descending into the snow and galloped around the little crowd and came to rest by the professor's side. Never before had Hermione seen a Patronus behave affectionately towards its wizard as the professor's did, nudging her gently with its muzzle before rushing off again, this time towards the school, Hermione assumed in search of Madam Pomfrey and the other professors.

"You lot, help me lift them; the others will be here soon, but we should start heading back," Black commanded.

"Are they alright?" Luna asked, concern and fear lacing her words, her voice thick with tears.

"They still have their souls if that's what you mean," the professor grunted as she lifted the first girl with Hermione's help while Ginny and Neville held the girl that was still slightly conscious between them. "However, it was far too close. They will be on a chocolate diet for a while and will be staying in the Hospital Wing for some time."

Together, the five of them carried the young girls back to the castle, the professor cursing the living daylights out of Snape and Dementors and anyone who threatened the safety of students.

"Oh, my goodness!" Professor McGonagall gasped as she ran into the unsightly group.

"They're fine, Minerva; just shaken up," Professor Black reassured the Head of Gryffindor as they continued on quickly through the school to the Hospital Wing.

"Severus will have to listen now… this is too much for the students… Hogwarts is meant to be safe!"

"Unfortunately, I do not believe Snape's top priority at the moment is the students' safety," the dark professor snapped so suddenly Hermione nearly dropped the girl she'd been helping the professor carry. "For Merlin's sake… he lets the bloody twins torture the students!" For the remainder of the short journey to Madam Pomfrey's ward, everyone remained quiet. The two young Ravenclaws would occasionally stir or cry out, but otherwise, the group was silent.

"On the beds here, Bellatrix," Madam Pomfrey led them to two beds already prepped with potions and chocolates by the bedsides.

Gently laying both girls down, the three Gryffindors and Luna stepped back to allow Pomfrey to administer her ministrations. "Amanda, dear, you're safe now. You, too, Cleo. Rest," she reassured the girls in a soothing, motherly voice.

"Thank you, you four; you may proceed to the Great Hall for dinner." Understanding Professor McGonagall's words as a dismissal, the four students exited the medical ward and walked along the lonely corridors to dinner, still in shock and adrenalin slowly seeping away.

"Granger!"

Turning back startled, the students paused as Professor Black casually clicked her way to them.

"That was an admirable thing you four tried to do," the professor said with a tight smile. "I daresay that if I had not been present, those girls may have been saved by the lot of you. Keep your eyes open; we teachers need more help out there during these times."

Stunned by the compliment from their usually menacing professor, the students nodded and offered weak smiles. For a moment, Hermione felt Black's eyes connect with hers. The witch's gaze was so intense, she had a brief flash-back to the moment Snape stared at her similarly back in his office a few months prior. Then the professor blinked and Hermione shook herself as if she were emerging from a slight daze.

"Go on, off with you now! No loitering in the halls or you know who'll get you…" with those sing-song words, the professor turned her back to the students and set a brisk pace back to the Hospital Wing.


If that girl thinks that loud all the time, it's a wonder the Carrows haven't killed her yet!

Rubbing two fingers against a throbbing temple, Bellatrix attempted to massage away her headache. Alone in her quarters, the raven-haired witch sat at her small dining table by the window studying her course plans for the seventh years.

She has to learn how to control her thoughts more… same with those friends of hers, if they know anything important… those twins are going to eat them alive when they start getting suspicious of the students.

Closing her eyes, Bellatrix thought back to the image she had briefly glimpsed inside the Muggle-born's mind earlier that evening.

The sword of Gryffindor in Snape's office… a page from a book… 'Goblin steel only takes in that which makes it stronger'… a diary… something dark, dark magic being broken and destroyed…

It was all too much! How on earth could her student have so many thoughts running through her head at a time? It's a miracle the girl hasn't gone mad…

Like you?

She certainly has a busy mind-voice like mine…

She just keeps herself occupied with learning… take that away, what's left for the active mind?

Sighing, Bellatrix made a small note to her plans. Yes, she would have to begin this lesson soon, and find a way to teach Granger more in-depth…

Could always give the girl detention to teach her… so simple and so effective.

Smirking, she made another note and took a sip from her hot tea. The cold days were nothing compared to the recent nights, and with her rising stress, Bellatrix found it prudent to keep more alert than her usual consumption of Firewhiskey normally allowed.

Making one final note, Bellatrix pushed back from the table and gazed out the window. The darkness was all-consuming. Beyond the lamplight offered by the school, Bellatrix could see nothing but blackness until the faint glow from Hagrid's cabin, and then nothing after that.

Normally on a Saturday night, she would be out roaming the halls, looking for any unsuspecting students sneaking out of their common rooms for a late-night get together with a sweetheart or to pull a practical joke. These days, she found her list of victims depressingly short. However, she was glad her students were smart enough not to risk being caught out of bed by the Carrows. Their idea of detention was something that curdled even Bellatrix's stomach of steel.

Hogwarts has changed, Bella, the world is changing and you – the once great Auror and most feared professor – are pretty much powerless against it. This all rests in the hands of a few of your students… bloody hell, we're doomed.