DISCLAIMER: Don't sue me and I won't sue you. Is that a deal?

Author's note: Here we go. I actually intended the following chapter to be the beginning of the very last chapter of this story, but then I made another decision. Think of it as a kind of prelude to the very end, which will be the beginning of the real romance. I finally have found my love for this story again and decided that there will be a sequel. I know that it is a pretty short chapter, but I thought you've waited so long for an update that I give this to you as a kind of prelude to the next chapter.

Maybe I'll manage to write it this weekend (as I have off until Tuesday and there are holidays here anyway), however, I cannot make a promise, you see.

Okay, thank you very much for reading this is awfully long note and now please go on reading the story and it would be sooooooo great if you could leave a review.

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And Then We Were Defeated

Chapter 21

And Then They Were Defeated I

***

It seemed to take them hours, but finally they reached the gates of Malfoy Manor. They stopped and hid in the bushes, unsure of which steps to take next.

"How do we get in? I mean, we cannot just walk up to the front door and say 'hi', can we?" Hermione wanted to know and looked questioningly at Draco, who was standing right beside her. He was about to launch an answer when the iron gates suddenly opened. Obviously they were supposed to enter.

"Well, I think, they are already waiting for us. No need to hide, Granger. We better get it over with. " his voice sounded stern and serious and he didn't look at Hermione. He simply took a step forward and started to walk towards his home. Sighing, Hermione followed. She didn't like this the least bit, but she didn't have a choice.

Only 3 days ago, she would have never thought she would voluntarily walk up to Voldemort. Well, of course she had imagined what it would be like to storm into his throne room and to blast him into smithereens, but she had certainly never expected that she would end up like this, wandless and with Draco Malfoy by her side. If only Harry knew...but what if he knew? Or if he was already dead? Her emotions had changed from defeated to hopeless, suicidal and hating in a couple of hours and now it seemed as if she had given up. All she wanted now was to find out the truth, she had to know for sure even if it meant that she had to die.

***

It took them a few minutes to reach the front door, which opened just as magically as did the gates and Draco led her in. He knew where they had to go. They would await them in his father's study. Draco simply felt that everything would come to an end there.

Hermione entered the study behind Draco and immediately was aware of the presence of several people. Nevertheless, the two were greeted with silence.

Severus Snape was there, next to Voldemort and Dumbeldore. They had apparently been waiting for their arrival as Draco and Hermione had expected, because none of them looked the least surprised. Hermione raised an eyebrow and again  looked questioningly at Draco, but he only shook his head and motioned for her to follow him as he made his way towards the fire place. Their former potions professor kept his eyes cast on the floor and avoided to look at them.

"What's that all about?" Hermione whispered to Draco. The situation was more than only weird and strange. She, and Draco probably as well, hadn't dreamt of getting this easily inside the Manor. Hermione had expected to be cursed and hexed as soon as she'd try to enter Voldemort's residence, or well, at least she'd thought to be treated like a captive.

Draco shrugged. He looked sinister and Hermione now knew for sure he felt the same. Hermione had actually thought that there was no way things could go worse now, but she was wrong.

The door to the study opened and another person entered the scene, a content smile on his lips.

"Ron." Hermione whispered.

Her worst nightmare had come true.