The Dementors were coming. He knew it. He had to be able to deflect them, but how? He couldn't rely on his Patronus. What good memories were there to concentrate on? If indeed any existed, they were forgotten. He closed his eyes to capture something...anything. Had his life been so completely in the dark?

"Severus? Are you alright? They didn't get you too, did they?"

Hermione. She'd already lost so much. But did he hear right? Concern in her voice, for him?

Perhaps he could deflect the Dementors after all. He opened his eyes just in time.

"Expecto Patronum!"