Chapter 12- The Death Eaters Attack!
A.n: Okay, the 12th chapter...this chapter has many parts and have warned you. This is the only warning. Bear with it...it's worth it. And a special shout-out goes to AngryClouds! I'm SOOOO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS...I will keep you in my prayers. I know what it's like to lose someone close...I'm sorry!
The next couple of days came and gone and everyday was spent divising a plan between houses and teachers. Each individual year was given a job and they drilled these jobs every hour. Hermione looked about her fellow Gryiffindors and saw the fear and dread in the younger year's eyes. She frowned deeply and shook her head. The "littluns", as the older students liked to call them, didn't deserve what was being dealt to them and she felt sorrow for them.
Hermione kept her distance from Snape because he was concentrating on how he was going to get Harry alone and not raise the suspicions of Voldermort in the process. He had to do it discreetly and fast for he knew that Voldermort would come in by force.
Dumbledore called Harry into his office on the eve before the battle and he explained that Harry was to obey Snape's every word.
"I know that you and Professor Snape have your...differences, but you need to work together now. It depends on your survival."
Harry nodded and gave Dumbledore a look that was a mixture of sourness and agreement. He opened is mouth to say something, but shut it again when Dumbledore's eyes gave off that sparkle.
"No. Do everything that Professor Snape instructs and all shall be well. I have faith in him and so should you."
Harry nodded again and Dumbledore nodded back. Harry turned around and started towards the door when he was stopped by Dumbledore clearing his throat.
"Oh and Harry..."
Harry turned around and nodded curlty.
"Forgivness is a remarkable quality in all and should be used wisely and not be controlled by how we feel. Forgive Hermione, Harry. For she has a human heart...just like Professor Snape."
Harry stood silent and he was speechless. Dumbledore knew why he and Hermione were fighting. Harry felt the confusion set in.
"But sir, if you know...then why..."
Dumbledore held up a hand and Harry fell silent.
"I know not how love works, Harry, but I do know it strikes in unexpected ways with unexpecting people. If it is fate that their lives should interwine in that way, then so be it. I gave them my blessing. Now...we have more important things to worry about. Just forgive and forget quickly because you may regret not doing it in the time to come."
Harry nodded and walked out of Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore's words made sense and he felt the guilt come in. He went through the last words of Dumbledore's little speech and realized what he meant.
'Just forgive and forget quickly because you may regret not doing it in the time to come.'
Harry's eyes rimmed with tears. A chord was struck in his heart and he started to run to the Common Room. He had to apologize to Hermione and quickly.
Hermione was nervously looking over a few spell books to brush up on her defensive skills. She really couldn't believe that the things that were happening were happening. She was amazed at how far she had come within seven years and her skills would be tested the very next day. It was hard to imagine, but it was real and no matter how many times she denied it, she knew that deep down that there was a big chance that tomorrow was the day that she would die.
Hermione shook her head roughly and put the thought in the back of her head. She would enjoy the peace around her before it turned into chaos. She sighed heavily and closed the book in front of her. She mummbled a few words under her breath and a light blue translucent barrier bubbled up around her.
"Well at least you know it works..."
Hermione turned around and was relieved and surprised that it was Harry. She blushed slightly and nodded. The barrier disappeared and she stood up and faced him. He smiled at her, but she saw the slight hint of tears in his eyes.
"Have-have you been crying, Harry?"
Harry shook his head and stepped closer to her, but she gave his an incredulous look and he laughed nervously.
"Okay, you caught me."
She smiled and felt the tears coming herself. Harry noticed and shook his head slowly.
"Don't cry. You have no reason to cry. I'm sorry, Hermione. Sorry for be such a pig-headed prat. I..."
"No...it was wrong for me not to confront you first...I didn't wish you to find out the way you did. You were the first person on my list to tell."
Harry smiled and Hermione smiled back. They hugged and started to cry together. Harry pulled away and he smiled.
" I thought I said not to cry?"
"Sue me."
Harry's smiled turned to serious and he looked Hermione in the eye.
"Hermione...if anything happens to me..."
"Don't."
"No...you have to listen to me...if anything happens to me and I don't make it...I want you to know that...I want you to be happy and if that means being with Snape, then be with him and be happy. Grow old and remember me. Will you do that?"
Hermione nodded and tears silently streamed down her face. Harry wiped them away and smiled at her again.
"And if I do survive...I want an invite to the wedding..."
Hermione punched him lightly on the arm and he laughed loudly. She smiled at him and turned to her books.
"Well, I'd better get some sleep...you too. We're going to need our strength."
Harry nodded and turned to the boys dormitories. He stopped and stayed with his back to Hermione.
"Hermione..."
"Yeah?"
"Promise me something else."
"Anything."
"No matter how many times we bicker about Snape, I want you to smack me upside the head the next time I insult him."
"Why?"
Harry looked over his shoulder at her and smiled briefly.
"Because...if he's good enough for you than...he's good to me and..."
"And what?"
Harry shook his head and silently strode to the dorm door. He stopped, but then shook his head again. He opened the door and disappeared behind it. Hermione looked with confusion at the door and headed to her own bed chambers as well.
The morning came slowly and the sky was a deep shade of red, the color of blood. Hermione could tell that no one got any sleep last night. She slowly walked into the Great Hall and an eerily silence greeted her. Everyone was chewing on their breakfast slowly and she watched the frightened 1st years not even eat anything. She frowned and made her way to her spot between Harry and Ron.
Ron looked glumly at Hermione as she approached, but gave a silent smile when Harry greeted her. He knew that they had made up because he didn't feel the tension that they cause whenever they were around each other.
Dumbledore stood and looked about the hall with a dull twinkle.
"After breakfast, all of you shall get into your respected areas and ready yourself for the attack. There is no telling when they could strike, so we shall be on our guard all day if we have to. Please use upmost caution and I wish all of you safety. Please be careful and use your energy wisely and do not turn your back on your opponet."
Dumbledore sat down and McGonagall patted the top of his hand for comfort. Harry looked at her three friends and then looked at the students around him. He felt the tension and then he felt someone's eyes upon him. He looked up at the staff table and caught Snape's eyes. He nodded and Snape nodded back. He suddenly felt an understand with the man and he looked at Hermione.
"Please be safe Hermione."
" I will."
"You too, Ron."
"Don't worry about me, mate. Just get that son-of-a-bitch down for good."
Both Harry and Hermione looked at him with wide eyes and he blushed.
"What?"
The Death Eaters slowly made their way across the school grounds and were silent as death. Voldermort followed underneath a black cloak and he smiled widely when he looked up at the blood red sky.
"Today is the day! Today is the day I will conquer the wizarding world and then the Muggles! I will have my vengance on Potter and I will bathe in his blood. Onto the castle. Onto our victory!"
The Death Eaters murmured agreements and strode faster to the castle doors.
Harry stood next to Snape in the Entrance Hall. Harry looked at Snape out of the corner of his eye and Snape turned to him suddenly.
"What are you looking at, Potter?"
Harry jumped a little and gave him a small glare.
"You know...I had to admit it, but...I was wrong about you."
Snape's eyes widened in amusment and he snickered.
"Do I believe my ears? Are you really..."
"Don't get used to it."
Snape gave him another humorous look, but then his face hardened.
"Listen, Potter...if I die, I want you to take care of Granger for me. You need to. I want her to be happy..."
"Then we both want the same thing. I told her that if I die, she was to be with you..."
Snape was silent. He had a connection with Potter and he hated it, yet marveled at it. They wanted the same thing...to have Hermione be happy.
"So...do we have a deal?"
Snape turned to Harry and looked at Harry's outstretched hand. He reached and shook it. Harry smiled at him and nodded to the door.
"Ready to take those bloody poncies?"
"Hey...I used to be one of those bloody poncies..."
There was a loud bang that erupted through the pearly hall and a few students screamed. Snape unshealthed his wand and Harry did the same.
"Remember, Potter. Whatever I do, I don't mean it personally. The Lord still doesn't know I'm a turncoat..."
"Ok..."
The bang erupted again and the Entrance Hall doors turned bright yellow.
"Here they come!"
Hermione was in the dungeons when she heard screaming start to echo down the stairs. She tensed up and whippe dher wand out of her robes. She waited in the shadows for someone to come down the stairs. It was her job to keep the Death Eaters away from any Potions that might serve useful to them like Veritisium. She casted the barrier around herself and waited.
Ron waited on the second landing of the Grande Staircase with a bunch of sixith years. Ginny was with him and she looked at him with fear. He nodded to her and focused on the one door that lead in and out. He leaned forward and whispered into Ginny's ear.
"If you find yourself in any trouble, or anybody else...go through a portrait and wait in a secret passageway."
Ginny nodded and prayed that Draco was okay.
Snape and Harry seperated when the Death Eaters overflowed into the Entrance Hall, blasting left and right with Unforgivable Curses and other nasty spells. Harry ran up to the nearest Death Eater and binded him to a nearby marble pillar. The Death Eater growled fiercley and tried to get out, but it was no use.
Snape slunk in and out of the shadows, watching the Death Eaters fight fiercely with the students of Hogwarts. He then, spotted Voldermort and he slipped smoothly through the crowd to him.
"My Lord."
He bowed and Voldermort removed his hood. Some nearby student screamed and caught the attention of some Death Eaters.
"Severus, our plan for stealth did not work. Why is that?"
" I do not know, My Lord."
Voldermort eyed him suspiciouly with his red slitted eyes and looked around.
"Well, either way, they will not win. They are children after all. Where is Potter?"
Snape pointed to the top of the stairs where Harry was battling two Deatg Eaters at once. Snape reconized one as Lucius Malfoy. Voldermort nodded at Snape and he ran where Harry was.
Just as Lucius was about to hit Harry with an Unforgivable, Snape stepped in front of Harry and Lucius cursed under his breath.
"What are you doing, Severus?"
"You know what I am doing."
Snape mouthed to Lucius. The blonde-headed man nodded and Snape blasted him with Stupify. Snape turned around and jerked his head to an open door. Harry nodded and ran to the door and Snape followed.
They entered the room and Harry looked around. Snape shut the door and locked it quietly.
"Professor, what is our next action?"
"Our next action? What do you mean?"
Harry's eyes widened and he felt this cold chill come up in the room, then his scar burst into a blinding white pain and he turned around wincing.
"Hello, Harry. We meet once again."
"V-Voldermort."
Hermione had injured about six Death Eaters and made her way up the stairs the Entrance Hall. She made her way to the door and opened it to reveal a gruesome scene.
Alot of students lined the floors, blood was everwhere, but there was more Death Eaters dead then students. She scanned the hall for Snape and Harry, but didn't see them anywhere. They must be fightning Voldermort.
As if her thought had called it...the door that Snape and Harry had gone into burst open and out flew Harry and Snape. Hermione gasped and fought her way through the throng of all the battles. She got stuck battling a Death Eater, but she kept one eye on the two men that were now battling Voldermort.
Harry rolled away from Voldermort's spell and casted one himself. Voldermort blocked it and Snape took his chance to fling an Unforgivable at him. Voldermort cursed and was hit, but it quickly faded away.
"How dare you betray me, Severus. After all I did for you...how long?"
"The past 11 years, Voldermort. You're wrong though..."
Voldermort flung the Imperius Curse at Snape, but he dodged behind a marble pillar.
"...you never did anything for me, except bring me hell."
Voldermort screamed and Harry sliced at him with Diffindo. Voldermort turned to him and charged. Harry's eyes went wide as Voldermort knocked him to the ground and hovered over him with a deathly glare. Snape charged at Voldermort's backside, but was knocked away by a powerful blast. Harry struggled to get away, but he was pinned against a marble pillar.
"Today is the day that you meet your end. Instead of the Boy-Who-Lived, you'll be the Boy-Who-Was-Living! Goodbye and tell your father I said hello..."
Voldermort raised his wand and it transfigured into a long silver sword with a dark green serpet hilt. Harry's eyes widened further as Voldermort swung the sword to slice his neck...
Hermione looked up after impaling her attacker with thick icicles, she saw Harry pinned underneath Voldermort and the serpent sword being swung for a killing blow...
"HARRY!"
A.n: MUHHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Please review!!!! This is like super long...geez, I'm got typing cramps in my fingers...
A.n: Okay, the 12th chapter...this chapter has many parts and have warned you. This is the only warning. Bear with it...it's worth it. And a special shout-out goes to AngryClouds! I'm SOOOO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS...I will keep you in my prayers. I know what it's like to lose someone close...I'm sorry!
The next couple of days came and gone and everyday was spent divising a plan between houses and teachers. Each individual year was given a job and they drilled these jobs every hour. Hermione looked about her fellow Gryiffindors and saw the fear and dread in the younger year's eyes. She frowned deeply and shook her head. The "littluns", as the older students liked to call them, didn't deserve what was being dealt to them and she felt sorrow for them.
Hermione kept her distance from Snape because he was concentrating on how he was going to get Harry alone and not raise the suspicions of Voldermort in the process. He had to do it discreetly and fast for he knew that Voldermort would come in by force.
Dumbledore called Harry into his office on the eve before the battle and he explained that Harry was to obey Snape's every word.
"I know that you and Professor Snape have your...differences, but you need to work together now. It depends on your survival."
Harry nodded and gave Dumbledore a look that was a mixture of sourness and agreement. He opened is mouth to say something, but shut it again when Dumbledore's eyes gave off that sparkle.
"No. Do everything that Professor Snape instructs and all shall be well. I have faith in him and so should you."
Harry nodded again and Dumbledore nodded back. Harry turned around and started towards the door when he was stopped by Dumbledore clearing his throat.
"Oh and Harry..."
Harry turned around and nodded curlty.
"Forgivness is a remarkable quality in all and should be used wisely and not be controlled by how we feel. Forgive Hermione, Harry. For she has a human heart...just like Professor Snape."
Harry stood silent and he was speechless. Dumbledore knew why he and Hermione were fighting. Harry felt the confusion set in.
"But sir, if you know...then why..."
Dumbledore held up a hand and Harry fell silent.
"I know not how love works, Harry, but I do know it strikes in unexpected ways with unexpecting people. If it is fate that their lives should interwine in that way, then so be it. I gave them my blessing. Now...we have more important things to worry about. Just forgive and forget quickly because you may regret not doing it in the time to come."
Harry nodded and walked out of Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore's words made sense and he felt the guilt come in. He went through the last words of Dumbledore's little speech and realized what he meant.
'Just forgive and forget quickly because you may regret not doing it in the time to come.'
Harry's eyes rimmed with tears. A chord was struck in his heart and he started to run to the Common Room. He had to apologize to Hermione and quickly.
Hermione was nervously looking over a few spell books to brush up on her defensive skills. She really couldn't believe that the things that were happening were happening. She was amazed at how far she had come within seven years and her skills would be tested the very next day. It was hard to imagine, but it was real and no matter how many times she denied it, she knew that deep down that there was a big chance that tomorrow was the day that she would die.
Hermione shook her head roughly and put the thought in the back of her head. She would enjoy the peace around her before it turned into chaos. She sighed heavily and closed the book in front of her. She mummbled a few words under her breath and a light blue translucent barrier bubbled up around her.
"Well at least you know it works..."
Hermione turned around and was relieved and surprised that it was Harry. She blushed slightly and nodded. The barrier disappeared and she stood up and faced him. He smiled at her, but she saw the slight hint of tears in his eyes.
"Have-have you been crying, Harry?"
Harry shook his head and stepped closer to her, but she gave his an incredulous look and he laughed nervously.
"Okay, you caught me."
She smiled and felt the tears coming herself. Harry noticed and shook his head slowly.
"Don't cry. You have no reason to cry. I'm sorry, Hermione. Sorry for be such a pig-headed prat. I..."
"No...it was wrong for me not to confront you first...I didn't wish you to find out the way you did. You were the first person on my list to tell."
Harry smiled and Hermione smiled back. They hugged and started to cry together. Harry pulled away and he smiled.
" I thought I said not to cry?"
"Sue me."
Harry's smiled turned to serious and he looked Hermione in the eye.
"Hermione...if anything happens to me..."
"Don't."
"No...you have to listen to me...if anything happens to me and I don't make it...I want you to know that...I want you to be happy and if that means being with Snape, then be with him and be happy. Grow old and remember me. Will you do that?"
Hermione nodded and tears silently streamed down her face. Harry wiped them away and smiled at her again.
"And if I do survive...I want an invite to the wedding..."
Hermione punched him lightly on the arm and he laughed loudly. She smiled at him and turned to her books.
"Well, I'd better get some sleep...you too. We're going to need our strength."
Harry nodded and turned to the boys dormitories. He stopped and stayed with his back to Hermione.
"Hermione..."
"Yeah?"
"Promise me something else."
"Anything."
"No matter how many times we bicker about Snape, I want you to smack me upside the head the next time I insult him."
"Why?"
Harry looked over his shoulder at her and smiled briefly.
"Because...if he's good enough for you than...he's good to me and..."
"And what?"
Harry shook his head and silently strode to the dorm door. He stopped, but then shook his head again. He opened the door and disappeared behind it. Hermione looked with confusion at the door and headed to her own bed chambers as well.
The morning came slowly and the sky was a deep shade of red, the color of blood. Hermione could tell that no one got any sleep last night. She slowly walked into the Great Hall and an eerily silence greeted her. Everyone was chewing on their breakfast slowly and she watched the frightened 1st years not even eat anything. She frowned and made her way to her spot between Harry and Ron.
Ron looked glumly at Hermione as she approached, but gave a silent smile when Harry greeted her. He knew that they had made up because he didn't feel the tension that they cause whenever they were around each other.
Dumbledore stood and looked about the hall with a dull twinkle.
"After breakfast, all of you shall get into your respected areas and ready yourself for the attack. There is no telling when they could strike, so we shall be on our guard all day if we have to. Please use upmost caution and I wish all of you safety. Please be careful and use your energy wisely and do not turn your back on your opponet."
Dumbledore sat down and McGonagall patted the top of his hand for comfort. Harry looked at her three friends and then looked at the students around him. He felt the tension and then he felt someone's eyes upon him. He looked up at the staff table and caught Snape's eyes. He nodded and Snape nodded back. He suddenly felt an understand with the man and he looked at Hermione.
"Please be safe Hermione."
" I will."
"You too, Ron."
"Don't worry about me, mate. Just get that son-of-a-bitch down for good."
Both Harry and Hermione looked at him with wide eyes and he blushed.
"What?"
The Death Eaters slowly made their way across the school grounds and were silent as death. Voldermort followed underneath a black cloak and he smiled widely when he looked up at the blood red sky.
"Today is the day! Today is the day I will conquer the wizarding world and then the Muggles! I will have my vengance on Potter and I will bathe in his blood. Onto the castle. Onto our victory!"
The Death Eaters murmured agreements and strode faster to the castle doors.
Harry stood next to Snape in the Entrance Hall. Harry looked at Snape out of the corner of his eye and Snape turned to him suddenly.
"What are you looking at, Potter?"
Harry jumped a little and gave him a small glare.
"You know...I had to admit it, but...I was wrong about you."
Snape's eyes widened in amusment and he snickered.
"Do I believe my ears? Are you really..."
"Don't get used to it."
Snape gave him another humorous look, but then his face hardened.
"Listen, Potter...if I die, I want you to take care of Granger for me. You need to. I want her to be happy..."
"Then we both want the same thing. I told her that if I die, she was to be with you..."
Snape was silent. He had a connection with Potter and he hated it, yet marveled at it. They wanted the same thing...to have Hermione be happy.
"So...do we have a deal?"
Snape turned to Harry and looked at Harry's outstretched hand. He reached and shook it. Harry smiled at him and nodded to the door.
"Ready to take those bloody poncies?"
"Hey...I used to be one of those bloody poncies..."
There was a loud bang that erupted through the pearly hall and a few students screamed. Snape unshealthed his wand and Harry did the same.
"Remember, Potter. Whatever I do, I don't mean it personally. The Lord still doesn't know I'm a turncoat..."
"Ok..."
The bang erupted again and the Entrance Hall doors turned bright yellow.
"Here they come!"
Hermione was in the dungeons when she heard screaming start to echo down the stairs. She tensed up and whippe dher wand out of her robes. She waited in the shadows for someone to come down the stairs. It was her job to keep the Death Eaters away from any Potions that might serve useful to them like Veritisium. She casted the barrier around herself and waited.
Ron waited on the second landing of the Grande Staircase with a bunch of sixith years. Ginny was with him and she looked at him with fear. He nodded to her and focused on the one door that lead in and out. He leaned forward and whispered into Ginny's ear.
"If you find yourself in any trouble, or anybody else...go through a portrait and wait in a secret passageway."
Ginny nodded and prayed that Draco was okay.
Snape and Harry seperated when the Death Eaters overflowed into the Entrance Hall, blasting left and right with Unforgivable Curses and other nasty spells. Harry ran up to the nearest Death Eater and binded him to a nearby marble pillar. The Death Eater growled fiercley and tried to get out, but it was no use.
Snape slunk in and out of the shadows, watching the Death Eaters fight fiercely with the students of Hogwarts. He then, spotted Voldermort and he slipped smoothly through the crowd to him.
"My Lord."
He bowed and Voldermort removed his hood. Some nearby student screamed and caught the attention of some Death Eaters.
"Severus, our plan for stealth did not work. Why is that?"
" I do not know, My Lord."
Voldermort eyed him suspiciouly with his red slitted eyes and looked around.
"Well, either way, they will not win. They are children after all. Where is Potter?"
Snape pointed to the top of the stairs where Harry was battling two Deatg Eaters at once. Snape reconized one as Lucius Malfoy. Voldermort nodded at Snape and he ran where Harry was.
Just as Lucius was about to hit Harry with an Unforgivable, Snape stepped in front of Harry and Lucius cursed under his breath.
"What are you doing, Severus?"
"You know what I am doing."
Snape mouthed to Lucius. The blonde-headed man nodded and Snape blasted him with Stupify. Snape turned around and jerked his head to an open door. Harry nodded and ran to the door and Snape followed.
They entered the room and Harry looked around. Snape shut the door and locked it quietly.
"Professor, what is our next action?"
"Our next action? What do you mean?"
Harry's eyes widened and he felt this cold chill come up in the room, then his scar burst into a blinding white pain and he turned around wincing.
"Hello, Harry. We meet once again."
"V-Voldermort."
Hermione had injured about six Death Eaters and made her way up the stairs the Entrance Hall. She made her way to the door and opened it to reveal a gruesome scene.
Alot of students lined the floors, blood was everwhere, but there was more Death Eaters dead then students. She scanned the hall for Snape and Harry, but didn't see them anywhere. They must be fightning Voldermort.
As if her thought had called it...the door that Snape and Harry had gone into burst open and out flew Harry and Snape. Hermione gasped and fought her way through the throng of all the battles. She got stuck battling a Death Eater, but she kept one eye on the two men that were now battling Voldermort.
Harry rolled away from Voldermort's spell and casted one himself. Voldermort blocked it and Snape took his chance to fling an Unforgivable at him. Voldermort cursed and was hit, but it quickly faded away.
"How dare you betray me, Severus. After all I did for you...how long?"
"The past 11 years, Voldermort. You're wrong though..."
Voldermort flung the Imperius Curse at Snape, but he dodged behind a marble pillar.
"...you never did anything for me, except bring me hell."
Voldermort screamed and Harry sliced at him with Diffindo. Voldermort turned to him and charged. Harry's eyes went wide as Voldermort knocked him to the ground and hovered over him with a deathly glare. Snape charged at Voldermort's backside, but was knocked away by a powerful blast. Harry struggled to get away, but he was pinned against a marble pillar.
"Today is the day that you meet your end. Instead of the Boy-Who-Lived, you'll be the Boy-Who-Was-Living! Goodbye and tell your father I said hello..."
Voldermort raised his wand and it transfigured into a long silver sword with a dark green serpet hilt. Harry's eyes widened further as Voldermort swung the sword to slice his neck...
Hermione looked up after impaling her attacker with thick icicles, she saw Harry pinned underneath Voldermort and the serpent sword being swung for a killing blow...
"HARRY!"
A.n: MUHHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Please review!!!! This is like super long...geez, I'm got typing cramps in my fingers...