A/N: Before you lot give me any more flames about Snape and Hermione, the story is not over. Yes I know she is too young, but being vulnerable is the point. So keep reading, I know you will approve the ending…
"Lucius, what is the big hurry and where are you going Beatrix?" asked Voldemort interested why his servants looked as though they had been caught in the act of doing something.
"My lord, we were attending to some plans for tonight," Snape said, but answering as though he was Lucius. Hermione merely nodded, trying to look cold and angry. Voldemort nodded and stepped aside. He had returned from meeting with some Dementor's that he managed to persuade to become his allies again and rather distracted with plans. Severus nodded his head respectively and opened the door, and Hermione slipped into the sunlight. From behind them somewhere they heard a voice yell stop. Before Hermione realized what was happening, she was alone and Severus was still inside.
Torn between going to get help or trying to rescue Severus, Hermione stood helplessly in the middle of one of the streets in London frightened.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry's train pulled up at the station not long after lunchtime. He knew he needed to make his way to the other side of London. Under his invisibility cloak he dogged hurrying passengers and made his way into the sunlight. It was an oddly bright day for London as Harry surveyed the street. He made his way down to Diagon Alley, needing to exchange some Galleons for muggle money. He found Diagon Alley much quieter than usual, finally putting it down to people being scared. This would be an ideal place for Voldemort to attack unsuspecting shoppers. Harry hoped he was just not to late. Once Hermione combines with Voldemort there would be no turning back.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Thank-you old friend," the old wizard finally spoke. Dumbledore was finally healed and the last of the curse faded from soul. He was still weak, but his eyes now danced in their familiar manner as he smiled at Merlin.
Merlin quickly brought Dumbledore up to speed of the recent happenings. He had been only partly aware of what had been going on around him, having small moments of clarity every now and then.
He just hoped Harry would finally win his battle with Voldemort and the Headmaster could die in peace. He knew his final hours mattered the most and there was still so much to do.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The Weasley twins were spotted all over the castle that day, while the other students remained in training with Sirius, Moody and Lupin. Sirius was unaccustomed to teach was having more fun than he had in awhile. Especially as the students say him as the man who escaped from Askaban. It was Moody who eventually stopped the twins and demanded to know why they were not in class.
"Professor Moody, is just that well, you tell him George," said Fred looking anxiously at George.
"Well Professor, we are actually leaving you see now that the war has started we thought we would have to keep people humoured-"
"Yeah so we were just packing, up we wont be any use to you," Fred jumped in. He grabbed George's arm and attempted to flee but the former Auror was too quick for them. Both went flying to the ground as Moody stuck out his wooden leg, his magical eye surveying everyone's reaction whilst his normal eye watched the twins scramble to their feet.
"I don't think you will be going anywhere, Molly will never forgive and you two know how your mother is," he added. The twins had to agree with the Professor; Molly Weasley was a woman they dared not to cross on this matter.
A disappointed Ron had watched the entire encounter with Moody and his brothers from the entrance of the library where he had just finished a class in disguise with Professor McGonagall. Now he was not sure how he was going to help Harry, whether Harry wanted it or not.
* * * ** * * * * * * *
Severus turned and looked at Voldemort and Lucius, pretending to be surprised by seeing a replica of himself. Voldemort looked from one to the other.
"Seems we have an impostor in our midst," he growled then added,
"Wormtail, bring them both to my chambers and get the girl, we will soon settle this!"
* * * * * * * * * *
When Hermione finally got a grip of herself she turned to find the door gone. There was now a window that had been boarded shut and bricks as far as Hermione's eyes could see.
"No, this can't be happening, it must be some kind of enchantment," she cried in frustration. Hermione was a far cry from her true self; she no longer had any confidence or drive, that had all died the day she found out her parents were dead. Now lost somewhere in London, she walked the streets for hours. No one would speak to her in her black robes, women with children crossed to the other side of the road. It was only when she happened to see the Dursley's that she finally regained some hope.