It had been four days since the clone was made. Finally, after dozens of brutal rapings, the clone faded to nothing, early on the fourth morning. The discovery was made by none other than Voldemort himself. His yells of anger and contempt echoed throughout the dark cave. Stomping up to his large platform, black robes swishing behind him, his eye-slits glowed a fiery, angry red.

"What is the meaning of this?" He hissed quietly, yet his voice had the power to draw the attention of the sixty four Death Eaters who were gathered. All looked at him with puzzled faces.

"Our wonderful Miss Granger faded into nothing, less than two minutes ago. Who wishes to explain this? Or will I have to use my wand?" Everyone knew that meant round after excruciating round of Crutacius until somebody finally confessed.

Lucius Malfoy, with a snarky smirk clouding his features, spoke up. "My Lord, Snape was in there with her first. Knowing his considerable history with the whore" he spat on the ground at the mention of a Mudblood "Perhaps he wanted to play the gallant hero and save her? If anything, I would look to him first – and at Hogwarts."

The Dark Lord agreed with Lucius. Of course he did not know that Lucius had an informant, Septima, who had told him all about what she had seen between Severus and Hermione the other night. He knew everything, including the fight between Hermione and Septima, only further confirming Hermione's presence at Hogwarts was not temporary. Soon enough, though, the plans were set. Tonight there would be a midnight raid of Hogwarts – for both Hermione and Severus.

Hermione awoke, sadly alone, in Severus's bed later than usual that morning. The Christmas break was almost over, and he had been getting up early to prepare his lessons. She rolled over, to find a rose, charmed so that the petals were interchanging silver and red, lying on his pillow. She smiled and breathed the sweet, fresh scent. Severus on the inside was a completely different man than most knew him as. He was kind, caring, romantic, the perfect lover. After a few minutes of simply relaxing, Hermione heaved herself out of the large four-poster bed and took a shower. Until lunch, she contentend herself by poring over the extensive collection of books in Severus's library. She entered the Great Hall and sat right next to Severus at the Head Table.

They still kept their relationship under wraps, although it was getting very difficult to do so. "Hello there everyone," Hermione smiled brightly for the whole table to see. Only Severus knew that she was sensuously rubbing her foot up and down his leg underneath the table. He grunted a salutation back to her, and began to play with her foot discreetly. The only staff member who had sensed something between them was Dumbledore, whose eyes twinkled merrily as he watched the two flirt, not so quietly as they had thought.

By six o'clock, everyone who would be fighting the Death Eaters was assembled. There was Harry, Ron and Hermione, Severus, Dumbledore and most of the teaching staff, fifty-two Aurors (ages 35 and under) and sixty-six able bodies who had graduated one tosix years ago. All in all they totalled one hundred and forty two. (AN1)

The large group was gathered in the Great Hall. All of the students currently attending Hogwarts had been given a two-week extension on the Christmas break, claiming that the school's plumbing needed fixing. Severus began to explain what would happen at the battle. "Voldemort and the Death Eaters are expected to arrive by twelve midnight. The clone that I left in Hermione's place faded this morning, as I have been informed by an inside source. You should all get as must rest as possible. Remember most of you are younger and better trained than the Death Eaters, but they do outnumber us slightly. I do not doubt there will be many...losses tonight, but all of you have been prepared for that. I sincerely wish the lot of you the best of luck tonight." Abruptly, he sat at the Head Table, next to Hermione. The two would be brewing potions again, as they had in the last battle.

At 11:35, the sound of men's voices yelling and footsteps pounding could be heard from inside the front doors of the castle. The one hundred and forty 'soldiers' (Hermione and Severus remained inside in the Hospital Wing) gathered together, drew their wands and stepped outside into the night. As the large doors shut, and all light was cut off, three hundred and twelve whispers of "Lumos" coming from bother sides were simultaneously heard. Voldemort headed the group of Death Eaters, his red eye-slits glowing in the inky black night.

Albus approached the darkest of dark wizards. "The rules remain the same," he explained, his light blue eyes meeting Voldemort's own eyes and staring confidently. "This however, is the last time I choose to fight. We have both experienced far too many losses. Whichever group retreats first will claim total and final defeat."

Voldemort spat "Fine." That was it, the battle was on.

Inside the Hospital Wing, Hermione and Severus were busy with bone-regrowing potions, Pepper-Up potions, coma-reversing potions and several other ones Hermione had not even heard of. While waiting for one to simmer, she peeked out the window. Utter chaos was the only word to describe the pandemonium outside. Men and women were running around, green flashes were being seen from each side. The dead bodies were already piling up. Hermione caught a glimpse of bright red hair, Ron was casting a Body-Bind on either Crabbe or Goyle. He was not allowed to cast death spells, as he had not yet completed his Auror training, so another wizard came over and finished the job. She had to look away, it was too horrible to watch, yet she could still hear the screams.

Severus saw her cringe, this must be scaring her to death. As much death as she had seen in her young life, it never got easier to watch. He, though, had hardened himself against it. After all, when you are a Death Eater, you often see a lot worse than death. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. She let out a small whimper of sadness and worry. "Why are they doing this? Why can't we all just exist in harmony?"

He sighed deeply. "I wish we could Hermione. I really do wish we could." As the injured began to pour into the Hospital Wing, they returned to their potion making. It was going to be a long night.

A/N: Forgive me! I'm sorry this took so long but my account was frozen because I forgot to delete my songfic! Stupid me, and stupid-er rules.

(AN1): I did not know the exact number of staff or how many of each group there should be, so I estimated. Sorry if I'm off.