Title: The Final Battle
Author: Althea
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter! I own Harry Potter! Oh, what's the use?! Ever heard of the saying that if you repeat what you want over and over again, it will eventually come true. Well, it doesn't seem to be working this time. They belong to the wonderfully talented J.K. Rowling and various publishing companies. I do not own the characters, only the plot. This is just my pathetic attempt to impersonate our lovely HP author/creator. Oh, and I also BORROWED a few quotes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and the fabulous HP fanfic, the Draco Trilogy by Cassie Claire. Don't worry, I'm going to return them back when I'm finished playing with them. And it's not that much. If you want to read her fantastic fic, you can find it at fictionalley.org. But then, after you do read it, you'll think this fic is just a piece of crap compared to hers. Oh, well. And also thanks to that beautifully written fic "The Price" by Bellemaine Chercoeur. It's a Hermione/Snape fic which I honestly think is disgusting but the writing is just perfect and brilliantly done that I couldn't help reading it anyway. I got the idea for this fic from hers and also borrowed a few quotes and scenes. Don't worry, this story DO have dialogues and scenes originally done by me.
Summary: Hogwarts is under attack! With the Dark Lord again reigning supreme in the Wizarding World, Harry and his friends must again find a way to defeat Voldemort once and for all, with the help and support of the other houses. Set on Harry's 7th year in Hogwarts, he must make alliances with his once enemies and take refuge in their help.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: All four books, plus the mentioned fics above, if you're planning to read it.
A/N: Harry is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team while Hermione is Head Girl and Ron is the Head Boy, only because Harry turned down the opportunity, fearing of becoming too busy of being captain, so Professor McGonagall just made him prefect. Draco Malfoy is also the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team and also a 7th year Slytherin prefect. Lupin is again the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, much to the annoyance of Snape. Oh, and my sincerest apologies if this fic doesn't sound too British. It is because I'm not from England and know nothing about how they speak and act. Feel free to let me know the proper words for certain terms. And please Read and Review!
The End of Days
Chapter One: Turn Back Time
Bitter and copper-like smell. That is what her blood tastes and smell like. She knew that now. It's not really the first time that she got to taste her own blood but she never really had an experience where she can taste her own fear and terror in herself and the others around her, quivering and shaking in mortal fear and mortification. Shivering in the coldness of the enormous room that they were in. The room that once stood for its warmth, in where the students' joyful memories and lively reminiscences were made. The Sorting Hat Ceremony, the House Cup Award and the uncountable times that they spent their breakfast, lunch and supper in this gigantic hall.
The Great Hall it was called, and truly great it is. With ceilings as high as the eye could see and spaces as vast as a bottomless pit. The great hall was the heart of Hogwarts and it's one of the places most loved by the students. But in moments, everything had changed.
A scream of denial, torn from a heart that stopped beating in that fatal instant, echoed across the grand hall of Hogwarts. From beneath upturned tables and charred house banners, the pitifully small number of students who remained alive watched in varying degrees of dulled horror as again, one of their own schoolmate and friend stumbled, then toppled backwards, knowing that they could be next, suffering that inevitable and horrible fate. Colin Creevey, one of Gryffindor's own, fell hard and landed on the cold stone floor, his eyes still open wide as if he didn't know and could not believe what was really happening to him.
Hermione Granger felt as tears filled her eyes as the wasted young lives of her fellow schoolmates lay before her. Cut down at the very start of their lives, a whole generation of Britain's best and brightest wizards gone forever. So many of them had been her friends, so many of them had looked to her for guidance, for safety and for leadership. And in that crucial moment, when Voldemort had stormed into the room with a number of Death Eaters, she had frozen. Her fear, terror and uncertainty overcame her causing her to lose all her presence of mind and wit.
Dozens and dozens of Death Eaters filled the grand hall surrounding the whole student body and blocking all the doors in and out of the room so that nobody could even try to escape. They took up position about the hall, forming a chain of death around the walls. They moved as one, as if they already rehearsed their placement at Voldemort's basement. This all happened very sudden that some of the students didn't even have the time to react to what was happening in front of their very eyes.
Moments ago, students and teachers are simply enjoying a peaceful breakfast at the great hall, the students quietly talking about, and anticipating excitedly the Quidditch championship match between the houses Slytherin and Gryffindor that was supposed to happen that afternoon.
The match obviously never happened because at this very moment, Voldemort himself is standing at the front of the hall, watching the chaos and destruction took place, a smile threatening to show on his thin, pale lips. He observed the devastation and the damage made by his minions with pleasure, as if he was watching a very amusing scene where ordinary wizards should laugh about.
Hermione hated him more for that. She hated him for his capacity to not care about people's lives. He deals with their souls as if they were nothing but mere irritating dust flecks that brought him nothing but annoyance, and so they will be better gone than to have them bother him more.
Dumbledore had risen, and his sheer command that all the students remain seated and not panic is instantly obeyed. Nobody moved in fear that they could be next to feel the pain and the sting of a Killing Charm that the Death Eaters are flinging everywhere. Hermione could see how hideously outnumbered the teachers were. Apart from Voldemort himself, there are about more than fifty Death Eaters striding down the aisles
"You dare to disturb the halls of Hogwarts? How dare you to pollute this place with your foulness?" the stern and measured voice of the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore did not hide the depth of his anger or the strength of his determination, but strangely enough, his face bore no more other than complete calmness. "How dare you face us all, Voldemort?"
"This is my school and I will do as I please, my dear Dumbledore." Voldemort's voice was as cold as ice and as slick as oil. A voice that could have been very pleasant to hear, if it's not from the lips and face of the most feared evil wizard in the wizarding world. He swept a contemptuous look at the row of teachers at the front of the hall, who are looking tough and valiant, or at least trying to, even though Hermione knew that they were quivering underneath that facade. Pity that the most courageous, useful and best teachers that there is at Hogwarts are nowhere in sight. Their Transfiguration professor, Professor McGonagall is missing and so is Lupin, their Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Professor Snape, the potions master and the head of the Slytherin house is also missing in action for some reason that the students could not fathom.
What will become of the remaining number of alive students in the great hall, Hermione thought, is anyone's guess. This may be the end of them all, as one might say concerning the hopelessness of the situation, or this may be just the beginning of more horrifying events that could take place, like the opening scenes at movies, just readying the watchers for the more atrocious actions that's going to happen.
"It is only one boy that made me visit your little school, Albus." Voldemort continued. "Only one boy to kill and I'll be on my way, don't worry. Your castle will be left in one piece, you have my word for that. Although I'm not sure if there is going to be anyone alive left to make use of this school. Can you imagine it? No students, no teachers, no school! Such pity I feel for the immense lot and ground that this castle has. And such good location it is built with! Now I'm thinking of making this my own castle after I'm done with it and with the pests inside it terminated. After all, a Dark Lord needs a castle to reign into."
"Over my dead and decaying body, Voldemort!" the headmaster shouted with rage causing the students and the teachers alike to gasp in surprise and admiration.
"That could be arranged Dumbledore." Voldemort replied looking as cool as ever, not even flinching a bit at the headmaster's sudden outburst. "That could definitely be arranged."
Seconds passed by with no sound coming out of Dumbledore or Voldemort, their eyes just glaring and frowning at each other, with the students and teachers similarly just staring and waiting in vain for whatever actions or dealings that may come. Voldemort has this amused and confident smug look on his face that strikes the students peculiar, as if he had already succeeded in what he came for and just pleased with the fact that he is annoying Dumbledore greatly and terrifying the students and teachers alike beyond their capacity to hold it all in.
It was the ever present and perpetually loyal Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy who broke the ear piercing silence of the great hall.
"My Lord, it just occurred to us that nobody has seen Mister Potter anywhere in the vicinity. The child is nowhere in sight." Lucius Malfoy stepped forward and bowed low, bending his knees in the process. Not surprisingly, in Hermiones opinion, Lucius is the Dark Lord's right hand. Well, who else could it be? Generations and generations of Malfoys have been involved in countless dark arts activities that it's no wonder that Lucius is still Voldemort's most trusted Death Eater, even after he was brought to life again. And Hermione wouldn't be surprised to find out if he is the one responsible of bringing the Dark Lord's reincarnation.
"Are you sure?" asked Voldemort, his eyes turning into a fierce shade of dark red. Hermione reckoned that the mere sound of his mortal enemy's name affected the Dark Lord already. "Have you checked the pile of bodies at the corner already? Maybe he got hit by one of the Killing Charms that you keep hurling around, got his face all bloodied and got buried underneath all that useless remains that you just didn't recognized him."
"I. err." Lucius, who obviously didn't realize that concept or just altogether incapable of dealing with Voldemort's sarcasm, stammered. His once mighty and powerful appearance fading a bit to reveal a squeaking, cowardly sort of a man. This, as Hermione could see, brought Voldemort great amusement.
"Oh, never mind! You are such fools!" Voldemort snapped with great exasperation. He then turned and set his eyes on Dumbledore, who is eyeing him back with great contempt. "Dear Dumbledore, you wouldn't mind telling us where our infamous Mister Potter is, would you?"
Hermione unconsciously scanned the vast area of the great hall, looking for a sign of that browned haired, spectacled boy. She remembered the very first day that they met, as if it was just yesterday. It was at the Hogwart's Express that she first laid her eyes on that somewhat awkward and timid boy. She admit that he wasn't really that attractive as some, if someone might compare him to, say Draco Malfoy, with his hair as fine as silk, as golden as the rising sun, his face as pure as porcelain. But there is something in that boy that strikes her heart. Maybe it was his ever- present courage, determination and his pure heart that makes everybody that he met fond of him. But where is that boy?
A thread of fear crept down her spine as she tried to think of what happened with her best friend and loyal companion. He had not attended their breakfast that morning and considering his luck or misfortune, that he was not present the moment Voldemort stormed through the great hall with numerous Death Eaters, creating mayhem and confusion everywhere, she couldn't help but think that something bad had happened to him. And that uncertainty was a worse feeling than being trapped in a room being ruled by the most feared wizard of all time. She couldn't bear to think of what might happen to her and even Ron if Harry was to leave them forever.
"Why would I mind?" Dumbledore replied, a small superior smile forming at his lips. He seemed to be enjoying the battle of wits that he and Voldemort are performing despite of the circumstances. "Assuming that you are just planning on killing him and all that to show the wizarding world your power and greatness by murdering the only wizard who defeated you in his first year of age, I don't see the reason of why would I care?"
Voldemort raised an eyebrow and looked towards his Death Eaters. He was preparing to make some pithy and arrogant comment, Hermione thought savagely, when suddenly, Dumbledore raised his wand and directed a minor spell, hurling it at Voldemort's face, just to throw him off guard.
As it if was an unspoken signal, the Professors attacked as one, disarming death eaters, wreaking havoc amongst them. They stormed through the hall as Voldemort staggered sideways away from them. Hermione joined them, pulling students towards the center of the hall as quickly as possible, pushing the youngest furthermost under the tables, and placing the seventh years as an honorary shield about them. Every single person had their wand in their hand, ready for battle.
The screams of the dead and dying mixed with the battle cries, weeping and pain. Countless students were injured, their blood being spilled in all directions, the sound of their cries overcoming the rage of the opposing party. The Death Eaters were not disarming, they were killing.
Hermione wondered if it would make any difference if Harry was here, fighting at their side, disarming more Death Eaters than any of the other students were doing. Would it be any different if he was with them, protecting their backs and saving them from near fatal strikes of various Death Eaters? Maybe, fewer students would be harmed and more would be saved with the illustrious and legendary Harry Potter fighting with them against the evil Dark Lord. He was, after all, Voldemort's actual mortal enemy and the reason for all this. Hermione knew how Harry would react to what was happening once he finds out about it. He would blame himself for being so stupid and he would think that the attack was his own fault even though nobody is really blaming him for anything that he hadn't done. But even with all that, Harry's guilt and his inevitable death if he is present right now, Hermione still wished that he was by her side, even after what had happened over the past seven days.
Seven life-altering days. Just a month ago, if somebody told her that her life could change for the better or worse in just a week or so, she would have laughed at their faces, telling them that they've been reading too much wizarding pocketbooks. If somebody was to say to her that her whole relationship with her best friends and mortal enemies will be changed forever in a span of just a week, she would have thought that they were crazy.
But then, who knew that it could really happen? Even this morning is life- altering enough to overcome those perilous days that she went through. But strangely enough, she would rather choose to relive this horrific event than experience again the heartache and the emotional loss that she had just encountered.
If only she could turn back time, maybe everything would be all right. Harry wouldn't be mad at her, Ron would not be felt betrayed, none of this would have happened. But then she wouldn't have experienced the growth of their friendship and she still wouldn't have understood other people's real inner feelings and individuality. People that she thought, was just capable of making the people around him feel like living hell.
Oh, what she would give to relive those good old days where everything seems easy and simple. When they all thought that they would be always friends forever no matter what happens, that nobody could ever take their friendship away from them. It seems too good to be true at the moment, and it is probably to good to be true.
Somewhere in between, these weird, sudden, but strong feelings for Harry overcame her need for just friendship. She selfishly wanted more than that. She usually finds herself feeling jealous of the various girls from every level who keeps coming up to Harry and flirting their heads off, twirling every stupid lock of hair attached on their moronic heads. A variety of cleavages and legs keep flinging themselves in front of Harry's eyes. Even with the long and thick black robes that they're supposed to be wearing, up until now, Hermione still could not figure out how these girls managed to show it off.
It really hurts to fall in love with your best friend. The one who think of you as the sister that he never had. They've been through hell together and back and Hermione was prepared to ignore all her sick and ridiculous feelings towards Harry, no matter what it takes and how hard it is going to be. But surely and unexpectedly, destiny and fate has something more and different in store for both of them that neither predicted nor even wished for.
Suddenly the room was illuminated by sullen green light, a sickly corrupt color that turned the stately hall into a creepy and cavernous waste. Voldemort had risen from his hiding place like a gracious king rising from his throne. He seemed to be calling all his Death Eaters' attention to him and for an instant there, everybody just watched in awe Voldemort do magic, more complicated and powerful than any of them ever expected.
He raised his scaly hand with his long, pale and articulated fingers up in the air and said an incantation over and over again, his voice becoming more and more intense until he was shouting it more than saying the spell.
Hermione saw Dumbledore, standing just a little behind the Dark Lord, reciting some strange language that she couldn't hear nor understand. She supposed that the dear headmaster knew what kind of spell Voldemort was casting and he was saying a counter spell to it. It was obvious to all that the hex was powerful and very deadly, whatever it is.
As the tension rises and the incantations on both parties become more intense, the ground of the great hall started shaking and small debris from the ceiling of the great hall began to roll down to the wrecked floor of the room. A few seconds after, every one of them felt this stinging sensation at the base of their stomachs, making them wither in pain and agony. The anguish was indescribable that screams of pain and denial tore through the walls of the great hall.
Her hands pressed close to her stomach, Hermione felt herself falling backwards and was unable to stop herself. A thought about how hard the cold flagstones were going to feel when she landed on them, spun through her mind. She felt herself caught by someone and gently lowered to the floor. She forced her heavy and closing eyelids to remain open as she took in the carnage about her.
She can see, through her half opened eyelids, even the teachers are not immune to it and they to were screaming in agony. Only Voldemort and the Death Eaters are the ones who seem unaffected by the spell and even happy and amused about what was happening. The Dark Lord had this peculiar smirk on his face, a strange expression that Hermione would never have thought to see on his face. A smirk seemed almost too petty, too human for someone as evil as him.
Again, her thoughts turned back to her dear Harry. Wherever he is now, she knew that it has definitely better conditions than this one. Her hands still clutching her stinging stomach, she suddenly imagined what will happen if she was the one who's going to be leaving her loved ones and not the one whose going to be left behind. She couldn't help thinking about how sad it is going to be if she would pass away, not being able to tell Harry and Ron that she's sorry. for everything she did and everything that had happened to them and to their friendship, and not going to have had that much needed proper goodbye to her dearest friends.
Such pity that she felt her life slowly giving away into the pain and her vision dimming. She silently sent a prayer for all of them as her last breath escaped her and before everything turned into black and everything she knew disappeared into nothingness.
~~~~~~*~*~*~~~~~~
A/N: Next chapter: We find more about those days that Hermione was talking about by means of flashbacks. We see Ron's standpoint on the attack and everything else. Draco, Harry and Ginny finally have roles. For those who are not H/Hr shippers, please don't stop reading. This is not an h/hr shipper fic, just keep an open mind and you'll eventually find out what I'm talking about. And I promise that the next chapters are going to be a lot more cheerful. And please! Read and REVIEW!
Author: Althea
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter! I own Harry Potter! Oh, what's the use?! Ever heard of the saying that if you repeat what you want over and over again, it will eventually come true. Well, it doesn't seem to be working this time. They belong to the wonderfully talented J.K. Rowling and various publishing companies. I do not own the characters, only the plot. This is just my pathetic attempt to impersonate our lovely HP author/creator. Oh, and I also BORROWED a few quotes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and the fabulous HP fanfic, the Draco Trilogy by Cassie Claire. Don't worry, I'm going to return them back when I'm finished playing with them. And it's not that much. If you want to read her fantastic fic, you can find it at fictionalley.org. But then, after you do read it, you'll think this fic is just a piece of crap compared to hers. Oh, well. And also thanks to that beautifully written fic "The Price" by Bellemaine Chercoeur. It's a Hermione/Snape fic which I honestly think is disgusting but the writing is just perfect and brilliantly done that I couldn't help reading it anyway. I got the idea for this fic from hers and also borrowed a few quotes and scenes. Don't worry, this story DO have dialogues and scenes originally done by me.
Summary: Hogwarts is under attack! With the Dark Lord again reigning supreme in the Wizarding World, Harry and his friends must again find a way to defeat Voldemort once and for all, with the help and support of the other houses. Set on Harry's 7th year in Hogwarts, he must make alliances with his once enemies and take refuge in their help.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: All four books, plus the mentioned fics above, if you're planning to read it.
A/N: Harry is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team while Hermione is Head Girl and Ron is the Head Boy, only because Harry turned down the opportunity, fearing of becoming too busy of being captain, so Professor McGonagall just made him prefect. Draco Malfoy is also the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team and also a 7th year Slytherin prefect. Lupin is again the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, much to the annoyance of Snape. Oh, and my sincerest apologies if this fic doesn't sound too British. It is because I'm not from England and know nothing about how they speak and act. Feel free to let me know the proper words for certain terms. And please Read and Review!
The End of Days
Chapter One: Turn Back Time
Bitter and copper-like smell. That is what her blood tastes and smell like. She knew that now. It's not really the first time that she got to taste her own blood but she never really had an experience where she can taste her own fear and terror in herself and the others around her, quivering and shaking in mortal fear and mortification. Shivering in the coldness of the enormous room that they were in. The room that once stood for its warmth, in where the students' joyful memories and lively reminiscences were made. The Sorting Hat Ceremony, the House Cup Award and the uncountable times that they spent their breakfast, lunch and supper in this gigantic hall.
The Great Hall it was called, and truly great it is. With ceilings as high as the eye could see and spaces as vast as a bottomless pit. The great hall was the heart of Hogwarts and it's one of the places most loved by the students. But in moments, everything had changed.
A scream of denial, torn from a heart that stopped beating in that fatal instant, echoed across the grand hall of Hogwarts. From beneath upturned tables and charred house banners, the pitifully small number of students who remained alive watched in varying degrees of dulled horror as again, one of their own schoolmate and friend stumbled, then toppled backwards, knowing that they could be next, suffering that inevitable and horrible fate. Colin Creevey, one of Gryffindor's own, fell hard and landed on the cold stone floor, his eyes still open wide as if he didn't know and could not believe what was really happening to him.
Hermione Granger felt as tears filled her eyes as the wasted young lives of her fellow schoolmates lay before her. Cut down at the very start of their lives, a whole generation of Britain's best and brightest wizards gone forever. So many of them had been her friends, so many of them had looked to her for guidance, for safety and for leadership. And in that crucial moment, when Voldemort had stormed into the room with a number of Death Eaters, she had frozen. Her fear, terror and uncertainty overcame her causing her to lose all her presence of mind and wit.
Dozens and dozens of Death Eaters filled the grand hall surrounding the whole student body and blocking all the doors in and out of the room so that nobody could even try to escape. They took up position about the hall, forming a chain of death around the walls. They moved as one, as if they already rehearsed their placement at Voldemort's basement. This all happened very sudden that some of the students didn't even have the time to react to what was happening in front of their very eyes.
Moments ago, students and teachers are simply enjoying a peaceful breakfast at the great hall, the students quietly talking about, and anticipating excitedly the Quidditch championship match between the houses Slytherin and Gryffindor that was supposed to happen that afternoon.
The match obviously never happened because at this very moment, Voldemort himself is standing at the front of the hall, watching the chaos and destruction took place, a smile threatening to show on his thin, pale lips. He observed the devastation and the damage made by his minions with pleasure, as if he was watching a very amusing scene where ordinary wizards should laugh about.
Hermione hated him more for that. She hated him for his capacity to not care about people's lives. He deals with their souls as if they were nothing but mere irritating dust flecks that brought him nothing but annoyance, and so they will be better gone than to have them bother him more.
Dumbledore had risen, and his sheer command that all the students remain seated and not panic is instantly obeyed. Nobody moved in fear that they could be next to feel the pain and the sting of a Killing Charm that the Death Eaters are flinging everywhere. Hermione could see how hideously outnumbered the teachers were. Apart from Voldemort himself, there are about more than fifty Death Eaters striding down the aisles
"You dare to disturb the halls of Hogwarts? How dare you to pollute this place with your foulness?" the stern and measured voice of the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore did not hide the depth of his anger or the strength of his determination, but strangely enough, his face bore no more other than complete calmness. "How dare you face us all, Voldemort?"
"This is my school and I will do as I please, my dear Dumbledore." Voldemort's voice was as cold as ice and as slick as oil. A voice that could have been very pleasant to hear, if it's not from the lips and face of the most feared evil wizard in the wizarding world. He swept a contemptuous look at the row of teachers at the front of the hall, who are looking tough and valiant, or at least trying to, even though Hermione knew that they were quivering underneath that facade. Pity that the most courageous, useful and best teachers that there is at Hogwarts are nowhere in sight. Their Transfiguration professor, Professor McGonagall is missing and so is Lupin, their Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Professor Snape, the potions master and the head of the Slytherin house is also missing in action for some reason that the students could not fathom.
What will become of the remaining number of alive students in the great hall, Hermione thought, is anyone's guess. This may be the end of them all, as one might say concerning the hopelessness of the situation, or this may be just the beginning of more horrifying events that could take place, like the opening scenes at movies, just readying the watchers for the more atrocious actions that's going to happen.
"It is only one boy that made me visit your little school, Albus." Voldemort continued. "Only one boy to kill and I'll be on my way, don't worry. Your castle will be left in one piece, you have my word for that. Although I'm not sure if there is going to be anyone alive left to make use of this school. Can you imagine it? No students, no teachers, no school! Such pity I feel for the immense lot and ground that this castle has. And such good location it is built with! Now I'm thinking of making this my own castle after I'm done with it and with the pests inside it terminated. After all, a Dark Lord needs a castle to reign into."
"Over my dead and decaying body, Voldemort!" the headmaster shouted with rage causing the students and the teachers alike to gasp in surprise and admiration.
"That could be arranged Dumbledore." Voldemort replied looking as cool as ever, not even flinching a bit at the headmaster's sudden outburst. "That could definitely be arranged."
Seconds passed by with no sound coming out of Dumbledore or Voldemort, their eyes just glaring and frowning at each other, with the students and teachers similarly just staring and waiting in vain for whatever actions or dealings that may come. Voldemort has this amused and confident smug look on his face that strikes the students peculiar, as if he had already succeeded in what he came for and just pleased with the fact that he is annoying Dumbledore greatly and terrifying the students and teachers alike beyond their capacity to hold it all in.
It was the ever present and perpetually loyal Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy who broke the ear piercing silence of the great hall.
"My Lord, it just occurred to us that nobody has seen Mister Potter anywhere in the vicinity. The child is nowhere in sight." Lucius Malfoy stepped forward and bowed low, bending his knees in the process. Not surprisingly, in Hermiones opinion, Lucius is the Dark Lord's right hand. Well, who else could it be? Generations and generations of Malfoys have been involved in countless dark arts activities that it's no wonder that Lucius is still Voldemort's most trusted Death Eater, even after he was brought to life again. And Hermione wouldn't be surprised to find out if he is the one responsible of bringing the Dark Lord's reincarnation.
"Are you sure?" asked Voldemort, his eyes turning into a fierce shade of dark red. Hermione reckoned that the mere sound of his mortal enemy's name affected the Dark Lord already. "Have you checked the pile of bodies at the corner already? Maybe he got hit by one of the Killing Charms that you keep hurling around, got his face all bloodied and got buried underneath all that useless remains that you just didn't recognized him."
"I. err." Lucius, who obviously didn't realize that concept or just altogether incapable of dealing with Voldemort's sarcasm, stammered. His once mighty and powerful appearance fading a bit to reveal a squeaking, cowardly sort of a man. This, as Hermione could see, brought Voldemort great amusement.
"Oh, never mind! You are such fools!" Voldemort snapped with great exasperation. He then turned and set his eyes on Dumbledore, who is eyeing him back with great contempt. "Dear Dumbledore, you wouldn't mind telling us where our infamous Mister Potter is, would you?"
Hermione unconsciously scanned the vast area of the great hall, looking for a sign of that browned haired, spectacled boy. She remembered the very first day that they met, as if it was just yesterday. It was at the Hogwart's Express that she first laid her eyes on that somewhat awkward and timid boy. She admit that he wasn't really that attractive as some, if someone might compare him to, say Draco Malfoy, with his hair as fine as silk, as golden as the rising sun, his face as pure as porcelain. But there is something in that boy that strikes her heart. Maybe it was his ever- present courage, determination and his pure heart that makes everybody that he met fond of him. But where is that boy?
A thread of fear crept down her spine as she tried to think of what happened with her best friend and loyal companion. He had not attended their breakfast that morning and considering his luck or misfortune, that he was not present the moment Voldemort stormed through the great hall with numerous Death Eaters, creating mayhem and confusion everywhere, she couldn't help but think that something bad had happened to him. And that uncertainty was a worse feeling than being trapped in a room being ruled by the most feared wizard of all time. She couldn't bear to think of what might happen to her and even Ron if Harry was to leave them forever.
"Why would I mind?" Dumbledore replied, a small superior smile forming at his lips. He seemed to be enjoying the battle of wits that he and Voldemort are performing despite of the circumstances. "Assuming that you are just planning on killing him and all that to show the wizarding world your power and greatness by murdering the only wizard who defeated you in his first year of age, I don't see the reason of why would I care?"
Voldemort raised an eyebrow and looked towards his Death Eaters. He was preparing to make some pithy and arrogant comment, Hermione thought savagely, when suddenly, Dumbledore raised his wand and directed a minor spell, hurling it at Voldemort's face, just to throw him off guard.
As it if was an unspoken signal, the Professors attacked as one, disarming death eaters, wreaking havoc amongst them. They stormed through the hall as Voldemort staggered sideways away from them. Hermione joined them, pulling students towards the center of the hall as quickly as possible, pushing the youngest furthermost under the tables, and placing the seventh years as an honorary shield about them. Every single person had their wand in their hand, ready for battle.
The screams of the dead and dying mixed with the battle cries, weeping and pain. Countless students were injured, their blood being spilled in all directions, the sound of their cries overcoming the rage of the opposing party. The Death Eaters were not disarming, they were killing.
Hermione wondered if it would make any difference if Harry was here, fighting at their side, disarming more Death Eaters than any of the other students were doing. Would it be any different if he was with them, protecting their backs and saving them from near fatal strikes of various Death Eaters? Maybe, fewer students would be harmed and more would be saved with the illustrious and legendary Harry Potter fighting with them against the evil Dark Lord. He was, after all, Voldemort's actual mortal enemy and the reason for all this. Hermione knew how Harry would react to what was happening once he finds out about it. He would blame himself for being so stupid and he would think that the attack was his own fault even though nobody is really blaming him for anything that he hadn't done. But even with all that, Harry's guilt and his inevitable death if he is present right now, Hermione still wished that he was by her side, even after what had happened over the past seven days.
Seven life-altering days. Just a month ago, if somebody told her that her life could change for the better or worse in just a week or so, she would have laughed at their faces, telling them that they've been reading too much wizarding pocketbooks. If somebody was to say to her that her whole relationship with her best friends and mortal enemies will be changed forever in a span of just a week, she would have thought that they were crazy.
But then, who knew that it could really happen? Even this morning is life- altering enough to overcome those perilous days that she went through. But strangely enough, she would rather choose to relive this horrific event than experience again the heartache and the emotional loss that she had just encountered.
If only she could turn back time, maybe everything would be all right. Harry wouldn't be mad at her, Ron would not be felt betrayed, none of this would have happened. But then she wouldn't have experienced the growth of their friendship and she still wouldn't have understood other people's real inner feelings and individuality. People that she thought, was just capable of making the people around him feel like living hell.
Oh, what she would give to relive those good old days where everything seems easy and simple. When they all thought that they would be always friends forever no matter what happens, that nobody could ever take their friendship away from them. It seems too good to be true at the moment, and it is probably to good to be true.
Somewhere in between, these weird, sudden, but strong feelings for Harry overcame her need for just friendship. She selfishly wanted more than that. She usually finds herself feeling jealous of the various girls from every level who keeps coming up to Harry and flirting their heads off, twirling every stupid lock of hair attached on their moronic heads. A variety of cleavages and legs keep flinging themselves in front of Harry's eyes. Even with the long and thick black robes that they're supposed to be wearing, up until now, Hermione still could not figure out how these girls managed to show it off.
It really hurts to fall in love with your best friend. The one who think of you as the sister that he never had. They've been through hell together and back and Hermione was prepared to ignore all her sick and ridiculous feelings towards Harry, no matter what it takes and how hard it is going to be. But surely and unexpectedly, destiny and fate has something more and different in store for both of them that neither predicted nor even wished for.
Suddenly the room was illuminated by sullen green light, a sickly corrupt color that turned the stately hall into a creepy and cavernous waste. Voldemort had risen from his hiding place like a gracious king rising from his throne. He seemed to be calling all his Death Eaters' attention to him and for an instant there, everybody just watched in awe Voldemort do magic, more complicated and powerful than any of them ever expected.
He raised his scaly hand with his long, pale and articulated fingers up in the air and said an incantation over and over again, his voice becoming more and more intense until he was shouting it more than saying the spell.
Hermione saw Dumbledore, standing just a little behind the Dark Lord, reciting some strange language that she couldn't hear nor understand. She supposed that the dear headmaster knew what kind of spell Voldemort was casting and he was saying a counter spell to it. It was obvious to all that the hex was powerful and very deadly, whatever it is.
As the tension rises and the incantations on both parties become more intense, the ground of the great hall started shaking and small debris from the ceiling of the great hall began to roll down to the wrecked floor of the room. A few seconds after, every one of them felt this stinging sensation at the base of their stomachs, making them wither in pain and agony. The anguish was indescribable that screams of pain and denial tore through the walls of the great hall.
Her hands pressed close to her stomach, Hermione felt herself falling backwards and was unable to stop herself. A thought about how hard the cold flagstones were going to feel when she landed on them, spun through her mind. She felt herself caught by someone and gently lowered to the floor. She forced her heavy and closing eyelids to remain open as she took in the carnage about her.
She can see, through her half opened eyelids, even the teachers are not immune to it and they to were screaming in agony. Only Voldemort and the Death Eaters are the ones who seem unaffected by the spell and even happy and amused about what was happening. The Dark Lord had this peculiar smirk on his face, a strange expression that Hermione would never have thought to see on his face. A smirk seemed almost too petty, too human for someone as evil as him.
Again, her thoughts turned back to her dear Harry. Wherever he is now, she knew that it has definitely better conditions than this one. Her hands still clutching her stinging stomach, she suddenly imagined what will happen if she was the one who's going to be leaving her loved ones and not the one whose going to be left behind. She couldn't help thinking about how sad it is going to be if she would pass away, not being able to tell Harry and Ron that she's sorry. for everything she did and everything that had happened to them and to their friendship, and not going to have had that much needed proper goodbye to her dearest friends.
Such pity that she felt her life slowly giving away into the pain and her vision dimming. She silently sent a prayer for all of them as her last breath escaped her and before everything turned into black and everything she knew disappeared into nothingness.
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A/N: Next chapter: We find more about those days that Hermione was talking about by means of flashbacks. We see Ron's standpoint on the attack and everything else. Draco, Harry and Ginny finally have roles. For those who are not H/Hr shippers, please don't stop reading. This is not an h/hr shipper fic, just keep an open mind and you'll eventually find out what I'm talking about. And I promise that the next chapters are going to be a lot more cheerful. And please! Read and REVIEW!
