Disclaimer; I own nothing

Chapter Eighteen: Graduation, Part Two

Severus shook his head, trying to dispel the depressive thoughts that were sneaking in. He jumped up and ran over to Jaide, who was sitting very still staring at the ground.

"Jaide." He said urgently, "Jaide, honey, can you hear me?"

She looked up briefly, "Sev," she whimpered, "Get Harry out of here. Get him out now Sev."

Severus nodded and let go of her hand. He ran over to where Harry was sitting with Hermione and Ron, all of who were looking very upset.

"Potter," he hissed, "Follow me."

Harry looked up but made no effort to move so Severus grabbed is arm and dragged him to the door.

"Where do you think you're going Severus?" Lucius asked.

"I'm taking Potter someplace safe."

"Oh, I don't think so."

Severus glared at him and pulled out his wand, pointing it right in Lucius's face, "Well I do."

Lucius stepped aside angrily, "You can't win Severus, I'll find him eventually."

"I'll be right back to deal with you in a minute Lucius."

He dragged Harry out of the Great Hall and towards Jaide's office. Once they were far away from the Shades he shook Harry roughly.

"Snap out of it Potter." He snarled.

Harry blinked, "Professor Snape, what's going on?"

"There's been an attack. You have to stay here where it's safe. I'm going to go help them fight now. Do not, under any circumstances, leave this office. Do you understand me?" He didn't wait for an answer and immediately stalked away down the corridor, heading back to the Great Hall.

Harry looked puzzled, but did as he was told.

"What the hell are these things?" Tonks asked as they ran into the Great Hall.

"Shades!" Moody exclaimed, "We need to use Cheering Charms right now."

The other two looked at him with confused expressions but did as he said, aiming the Cheering Charms at the students.

"STOP THEM!" Lucius yelled at the Shades.

Just then, a Cheering Charm hit Jaide, who stood up and yelled as loud as she could, "EXPECTO PATRONUM."

A brilliant silver tiger burst out of her wand and began charging at the Shades. With their hold on the students broken a riot broke out. They all started running for the door out of the castle but found it blocked by Narcissa and Bellatrix. Panicking, the students began to split up down the corridors, nearly knocking over Severus, who was on his way back.

"Sev!" Jaide exclaimed, "Is he safe?"

"Yes." He replied curtly, "What happened here?"

"Remus, Tonks and Moody came in and used Cheering Charms. I was hit so I used the Patronus Charm. Everyone sorta woke up and ran for it."

"Lets go start rounding them up then."

"Of course, where are we going to take them?"

"Get them outside, make them run for Hogsmeade."

"Okay, lets hurry."

They ran off down a corridor, searching for the students. Not far down the path they found a small group being chased by a Shade. As they watched the Shade swooped down on Lavender Brown and disappeared into her body. Her eyes turned black and she pointed her wand at the fleeing students.

"Avada Kedavra." She hissed in the Shade's voice.

The curse hit Terry Boot, whose girlfriend, Mandy Brocklehurst, collapsed next to him crying. She was hit next, followed by Susan Bones, who was trying to get her to run.

Jaide gasped at what had just happened. She quickly pulled out her wand and cried, "Expecto Patronum."

Once again the tiger emerged and chased the Shade in Lavender's body down the corridor and away from the students.

"Take this lot outside Sev. I'm going to look for Remus."

Severus nodded and motioned for the students to follow him. Jaide quickly examined the bodies of the three dead teens before hurrying off down the corridor.

Remus was helping a group of students, including Ron, sneak out a side door to the castle when Jaide ran up to him.

"Remmy!" she exclaimed.

He looked up, a shocked expression on his face, "Jaide?"

"Long time no see hey Remmy." Jaide smiled.

"Well, yes… what's going on?"

"Lucius brought the Shades here." She turned to Ron, "Where's 'Mione?"

"We got split up back in the Entrance Hall. That's the last place I saw her."

"Thanks Ron. See ya round Remmy." She said before taking off back to the Entrance Hall.

"I'll never understand that girl." Remus muttered as he turned back to the students.

Narcissa stepped out in front of her sister as she ran into the Entrance Hall.

"Looking for your little mudblood friend sis?" she sneered.

"As a matter of fact I am Narcissa. Now get out of my way before I make you."

Bellatrix walked up behind Jaide and snatched her wand out of her hand, "Now, now sis. Play nicely."

They both laughed unpleasantly as they saw fear creep into Jaide's eyes.

"We've been waiting to see you again for some time Jaide dear. You see, you left so suddenly. We never even got to say goodbye." Narcissa said calmly.

"And now we have something special to give to you. Something that will leave it's mark no doubt."

Jaide gasped and tried to run for it but they stunned her before she could escape.

"Hello Severus." Lucius said coldly.

"Lucius." Severus acknowledged.

They were standing in the Great Hall, a room away from Jaide, Narcissa and Bellatrix.

"Where's your lovely date Severus?" he asked, "Surely you weren't foolish enough to leave her alone."

"Jaide can take care of herself."

"Oh, I wouldn't be to sure of that."

At that moment Narcissa and Bellatrix entered the Hall, dragging the unconscious Jaide behind them.

"JAIDE!" Severus yelled, starting towards them.

Lucius grabbed his arm and held him back, "You can't save her this time Severus." He laughed.

Severus struggled against Lucius but he couldn't break free. He watched helplessly as Narcissa pointed her wand at Jaide.

"Enervate."

Jaide woke up and looked around dazedly, "What…"

"Hold her still Bella." Narcissa ordered, as she pulled Jaide's sleeve up, revealing her bare arm.

Severus realised what was going to happen and desperately tried to yank his arm out of Lucius's grasp.

"You can't!" he said frantically, "You don't know what that'll do to her."

"Yes, we do Severus. Serves her right for being a blood traitor." Bellatrix grinned.

"But only the Dark Lord is allowed to…"

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him." Lucius said.

Narcissa pressed the tip of her wand to Jaide's arm but before she could say the incantation, Jaide went crazy.

"NO!" she screamed, "No, no, no, no!"

Narcissa smirked at her and said triumphantly, "Atra Insignio."

Jaide looked down in horror as the Dark Mark spread itself out from the tip of her sister's wand.

"No…" she whispered, before slumping to the floor sobbing uncontrollably.

Severus pushed Lucius away from him and ran to Jaide's side.

"Jaide?" he whispered. But she didn't answer. "I'll get you for this Lucius." He looked up but they were already gone.

Graduation, Part Three will be coming up very soon. The end is near.