Disclaimor: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

Thank you Corazon for all your help and advice with this story and beta reading it!

Chapter 39

The day of Graduation the ceremony was to be held outside and it was a gorgeous day. The sky was clear blue with the slightest breeze to fight the hot temperatures. The main ceremony was over all, the diplomas were handed out and awards for highest grade - of course that honor went to Hermione Granger.

The five students were anxious during the ceremony, knowing what was to come at 4 o'clock. It was thirty minutes into the reception and the staff and people to fight against the Death Eaters were already in groups, talking and waiting. The students were close and ready. Ginny and Ron stayed within thirty feet of Draco making sure they were prepared. Lupin walked around with a black dog, Black in his animagus form, were close by, near Harry and Hermione. Severus was with Draco, also according to Voldemort's plan. The parents that were Death Eaters were in tight groups ready to dawn on the Death Eater costume to fight.

Dumbledore told Hermione's parents of what was to happen before they arrived so they would be alert. They had made arrangements with Dumbledore to protect Harry and Hermione also - they had the skill and power to do so. Harry, Hermione, and Severus were the only ones aware of this.

At 4 o'clock, ten groups of seven people plus Voldemort himself appeared on the grounds of Hogwarts among the students, parents, and guests. Portkeys were made for the attack.

Dumbledore put on the Sonorous spell and informed the crowd, "Hogwarts is under attack. If you do not wish to fight with us go to the castle immediately!"

Panic erupted immediately until they saw people fighting against the Death Eaters already. The students trusted Dumbledore and took up wands to defend their school. They moved in groups as they saw others begun to do so. Mothers and fathers told their younger children to go to the castle while they fought. Several Aurors who knew they would be the last defense for the children if needed made sure they all were safe - adults who wished not to fight joined the others in the safety of the castle.

It was utter chaos with people battling, curses and counter-curses being cast. The Death Eaters were surprised of the defense that was in place and quickly learned that Hogwarts knew of the attack and were prepared to defend it.

Harry and Hermione saw Voldemort and they proceeded to him and Black and Lupin followed, ensuring no Death Eaters would attack from behind. Ron, Ginny and Draco soon were by Black and Lupin's side helping. Death Eaters tried to get to Harry since Voldemort told them to kill him immediately. The other main target was to be Dumbledore, who was holding his own with McGonagall and Flitwick.

"Voldemort!" Harry yelled to get his attention.

Voldemort turned slowly to face Harry, "Ahh, Harry Potter so good to see you," Voldemort hissed.

"I can't say the same," Harry sneered he learned from the best.

"I'm sure since your death is immanent," Voldemort said before mumbling a curse at Harry.

Hermione already expecting such had a shield in place. This curse had no effect on Harry or Hermione.

"Ah, I see you have prepared," Voldemort said.

Harry didn't say a thing, he threw a curse himself at Voldemort and the battle began between the two old enemies. Voldemort would throw curse after curse but none would affect Harry. Voldemort was getting infuriated at not being able to dispense of the young wizard quickly. The Dark Lord realized that Hermione was protecting the boy, and tried throwing curses at Hermione to stop her from protecting him but they had no effect on her either. He tried numerous dark curses and the Unforgivables but to his shock none were passing through her shields. Voldemort tried to get Death Eaters to attack with him but he noticed none were around to help since Teams 2 and 3 were blocking them. But he noticed Severus close by and ordered him to attack Hermione.

"Severus, kill that mudblood!" Voldemort hissed with anger.

Severus stood still with wand drawn and a shield up while he smirked.

"I gave you an order!" Voldemort seethed.

"I'm not killing anyone for you Voldemort," Severus sneered.

"You will pay! Very well though, I'll do it myself," Voldemort pointed his wand at Hermione.

"Harry, get ready for your chance," Hermione whispered.

"Avada Kederva!" Voldemort whispered loudly at Hermione.

Harry rolled out of the way without knowing what Hermione did; Severus saw her stand still and yelled, "MOVE!"

Once the killing curse hit it's mark, an unusual green smoke cloud surrounded the area. Voldemort laughed, "One less mudblood to kill!"

Severus watched in shock, his heart being ripped out. Harry was scared frozen thinking he let his best friend and cousin get killed.

~~~~~

While the battle between Voldemort and Harry and Hermione conitnued; Draco, Ron, and Ginny encountered many Death Eaters and soon they realized of Draco's true loyalties. Several saw the young wizard fighting with the two Weasleys and went to his father to inform him so he could deal with his son.

Lucius Malfoy, when learning of his son's betrayal quickly abandoned the duel he was in and left the opponents to his fellow Death Eaters to go kill his son.

The three young students were doing an excellent job in defending Harry and Hermione of Death Eaters and were able to incapacitate several. More fought against them knowing their Dark Lord would not appreciate such poor results from among his Death Eaters, especially to three students. Draco and Ginny were able to block many curses but when they were not able to Ron used his vast knowledge of counter-curses to deal with them. When they couldn't shield or use a counter-curse the three were able to move as one to dodge the curse and then fire several themselves to disarm or knock out the Death Eaters.

Soon Draco's father was standing in front of him with the silver mask off so he could see the sneer and hatred on Malfoy's face. "Draco, what're you doing?" Malfoy senior demanded.

"Restoring honor to the family name," Draco sneered.

"I'm going to kill you for your betrayal, you little bastard!" Malfoy raised his wand.

Ginny and Ron were prepared and both fired different curses to leave him unconscious for the rest of the battle.

~~~~~

Lupin and Black faced many Death Eaters and were able to make them useless for the rest of the battle. Black and Lupin were looking for one particular Death Eater but were not willing to leave Harry and Hermione unprotected on this one side. To their luck, the one person they were looking for came to them, though he was quivering realizing he was in deep... realizing he was in trouble.

"Peter!" Black roared out of anger.

The idiotic Death Eater had forgot his silver mask but still wore the Death Eater's black cloak.

"Sirius, Remus... uhh hi!" Peter wavered.

Black was about to raise his wand and finally cast the killing curse when Lupin stopped him. "No! We need him to prove your innocence!"

Black grudgingly agreed and simply stunned the man quickly before he could escape again. Lupin put another curse on the unconscious man to ensure no one but he could move him. He was not allowing him to escape again. Justice will be served he told himself; Peter Pettigrew will be put in Azkaban for life!



To Be Continued...