A/N: So no-one likes cliff-hangers then? Hmm, I should have guessed that by now! Can't think of much else to say really, except that I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I spent 4 hours turning my feet into ice-blocks, fun fun fun!
Something Understood
They span around to face the Death Eaters, the prominent three had removed their hoods and Hermione was able to see quite clearly the faces of Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov and Lucius Malfoy, who looked slightly paler and gaunter, but more or less exactly the same as when she had last seen him; clearly Azkaban was not much of a problem anymore.
"Oh dear you have got yourselves into a little tight spot!" Bellatrix cackled with glee, "thought you'd be able to just march in here did you Potter? Thought no-one would notice?"
The other Death Eaters laughed and Dolohov stepped forward, "Severus, you have been so very useful, my old friend."
"Kill me now then Dolohov! If that was all you ever wanted me for." Snape stood in front of the others shielding them from the Death Eaters, he clung to Hermione hand behind his back, and she could feel his palms beginning to sweat with fear. Perhaps he wasn't as cold as he appeared.
"Severus, what does he mean?" she looked at him, and then at Dolohov.
"Oh Severus, this must be your Mudblood bunny, don't you think she ought to know what's been going on?"
Everyone looked at Snape. His lips tightened. "They knew you were coming here," he said, "They knew that you knew where we were." Understanding began to fall upon their faces. Ron stared at him.
"I always knew you were a lying rat! You double-crossed your own double-crossed self! You are a dirty piece of filth, sliming your way all over Hermione –"
"Ron!" she gasped,
"- and now you've given us up to them, I bet you're having a great time." Ron leapt at Snape, but Hermione grabbed him just in time.
"Ron, no! Please, just leave him; there must have been a mistake."
"No Hermione, I told them everything you told me. I deserve death." Dolohov smiled at him,
"Always were the one to make a show of it weren't you?" he chuckled,
"You see," said Lucius Malfoy, "what's he's forgotten to tell you was that we gave him Veritaserum, stupid fool keeps a bottle in his pocket. We knew he'd been talking through that watch, but we allowed it to continue and gathered our information most easily. He obviously doesn't want to die with everyone thinking he was a fool, too late Severus Snape, your time on this Earth has ended. Avada – "
"NO!" Hermione screamed, Malfoy stopped mid-word to look at her, but it gave Harry, Ron and Ginny enough time to stun the Death Eaters, they may not have been the best stunners but it gave them a couple of minutes at the least. Harry bolted up the stairs.
"It's open!" he bellowed, "There's a way out! Everyone, get out now!"
Hermione and Ron quickly began to gather the other people on the platform, many of whom were innocent Muggles who were quivering in shock, a few feeble Wizards offered to stay and help but they were all pushed to the stairway. Harry came running back and they watched the line of prisoners begin to trail up the staircase. From the top of the stairs came a terrifying voice, it rang out like a bell in deep incantations, within seconds all of those on the stairs were dead. The bodies cascaded to the floor in a ripple leaving Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Snape, Mrs Weasley, Dudley, Aunt Petunia and a few bleary-eyed Death Eaters standing, shell-shocked.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." Hermione whimpered, burying her face into Snape's chest. Ginny closed her eyes and hugged her mother, Ron and Harry looked at each other. Hermione's red face appeared, "It's him."
Lord Voldemort descended the stairs, shrouded in a black cloak, his white face was just visible and his scarlet serpentine eyes glistened with anticipation. Harry clutched his forehead, feeling his scar white-hot, and Snape's hand reached to his right forearm where the Dark Mark glowed painfully. Hermione looked down at it, she had never really noticed it before; he always wore long sleeves and even if he wasn't she felt sure he was hiding something. He saw her looking and quickly covered it up.
"Too long have I waited for this," Voldemort hissed, his Death Eaters began to gather around them, closing in on them. "I only want you Harry; surely you won't mind leaving your dear friends in the capable hands of my helpers." Harry looked up at him and spat in his face. The Death Eaters growled.
"We can do this the easy way Potter, or we can do it the hard way, choose. Either I just kill you now and your friends can face the consequences or you try yet again to fight us off."
"He hasn't failed before now! Why should he this time?" Hermione demanded, standing squaring in front of Voldemort, trying with all her might not to let a single quiver of her fear slip into her voice.
"Move out of my way girl!" Voldemort tried to brush her aside,
"No. I will not leave this place until they come to put me in a coffin."
"There'll be so little left of you darling I don't think a coffin would be appropriate." Bellatrix giggled, "Shall I master?"
"Don't lay a finger on her!" Snape roared, "Hermione move!" Hermione turned back at him and smiled.
"This is what I have to do," she said,
He stared at her, puzzled. Bellatrix smiled at Hermione, "Don't worry," she said, "I don't need to use my fingers." She drew her wand, raising it to face Hermione stood her ground. "Have it your way then. Avada Kev…
A/N: The evilest cliff-hanger yet! I just wish I could see the look on your faces right now! So I can understand if you want to get pissed off with me, but a little more constructive criticism would be more helpful. Until the next time, my minions! ;)
