I am so sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Here's chapter 21. I hope you like it. Thank you for the reviews and your patience. Without further ado…
Chapter 21: Plan Dark Lord
Hermione sat up quickly searching the room confusedly. Something had woken her from her sleep, but what? Following the sound with her ears Hermione found herself finding the source in the bed next to her own.
"Harry…" She whispered.
Her friend was still tossing and turning and crying out as she climbed out of bed. Approaching the bed Hermione carefully shook Harry's shoulder.
"Harry…Harry wake up." She whispered louder.
With a scream of pain Harry shot up in bed sweating profusely, emerald eyes frantically searching the room.
"Was…was it another vision Harry?" Hermione asked putting an arm around her friend's shoulder.
Harry nodded shakily pressing the palm of his hand to his scar. "He…Voldemort is angry." Harry whispered.
"Is it because of the traitor?" Hermione asked quietly searching Harry's eyes.
Harry only nodded, running a shaky hand through his messy black hair. "I'm tired Hermione." He stated sadly.
"We'll think of something Harry." Hermione said hopefully. "We can go to Professor Dumbledore and tell him about the latest vision and he'll no what to do…"
Harry shook his head. "No Hermione… Dumbledore maybe a wise man but I'm tired of relying on him when he doesn't seem to do anything about it."
Confusion flittered across Hermione's face. "So if we are not going to tell Dumbledore…" She trailed off. "…Harry please don't tell me we are going to do something about this on our own."
A determined look appeared on Harry's face. "It has to stop sometime Hermione." His voice was the most serious she had ever heard it.
"Harry you can't be serious…" Hermione pleaded knowing where this might be going.
It seemed to Hermione that whatever was on Harry's mind he was set on completing it whether or not he had approval.
"We should probably get some sleep." Harry said with finality as he curled up on his side.
"Goodnight Harry." Hermione whispered as she slipped off her friend's bed and got into her own.
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As the sun rose warm light streamed in from the windows making the sterile room brighter. Hermione stretched yawning slightly as she started to wake.
"Well it's about time!" An indigent voice said from her bedside.
Turning her head Hermione smiled at her friend. "Hello Ronald."
The red head smirked. "How are you feeling 'Mione?" Ron asked
Hermione shrugged looking over at the other bed in which Harry was sitting up watching. "I feel much better."
"Hermione, Ron and I were discussing a plan of action." Harry stated reaching over and pulling a notebook and quill off the bedside table.
Knowing where this was going Hermione got out of bed and climbed up onto Harry's bed.
"So what's the plan?" She asked pushing a lock of unruly hair out of her face.
Harry opened the notebook to the page he was looking for and laid it on the bed so Hermione and Ron could see it. "We're going to find Voldemort's location and get in…somehow."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, sighing and shaking her head. "When are we going?" She finally asked.
She watched Harry reread some of his notes before responding. "I'm hoping tonight." He said.
"What will we need?" Ron asked nervously.
"We won't need much Ron." Harry responded as he closed the notebook.
During the next few hours the three planned for the invasion of Voldemort's hiding place. The three teens were rather nervous about this action, who wouldn't be nervous about entering the snake's layer?
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That evening Madame Pomfrey released Hermione and Harry from her clutches, warning them to not to do anything reckless or else.
The three promised the school nurse profusely to not do anything that would land them back in the hospital wing even though they knew it would probably happen if they survived their mission.
Being the reasonable one of the trio, Hermione managed to convince the boys to go to the Great Hall to eat dinner. Not only would it get them some dinner but it was also for the appearance sake.
As they sat there Hermione had the feeling of someone watching her closely. "Guys, we might have a problem with leaving." She said leaning forward.
"What do you mean Hermione?" Harry asked.
Hermione sighed. "I think Snape is watching us." She stated.
Harry glanced up for a moment looking up at the Head table. "You're right Hermione he's watching us."
"Do you think he knows?" Ron asked nervously
Hermione shrugged. "No idea."
During the rest of the dinner Harry quietly described to his friends of what they were undertaking that night. Every once and awhile Harry would glance up to check on Snape who was still watching them.
After dinner the Golden trio quietly left the Great Hall, disappearing down the darkened corridor.
"I have to tell you guys something." Harry whispered as the three made their way up to Gryffindor tower.
Approaching the portrait of the fat lady the hurriedly told her the password (gillyweed) as they quickly went through the portrait hole. Sprinting up the stairs the three closed the door behind them as they entered Harry and Ron's dorm.
"I put a tracking spell on Snape at dinner tonight." Harry said pulling out the Marauder's map.
Hermione looked at Harry. "How did you manage to do that?" She asked.
Harry only shrugged searching the map for Snape. "I've been practicing wandless magic."
"Oh" was Hermione's only response as she pulled a book out to read while they waited.
Harry pulled his broom out of his trunk and motioned for Ron to do the same with his own. With a tap of his wand Harry shrunk the broom and placed it in his front pocket. After Ron shrunk his and put it in his own pocket he challenged Harry to wizard's chess.
It wasn't until a half hour later when Harry gasped in pain, pressing the palm of his hand against his forehead. "What is it Harry?" Hermione asked promptly shutting her book and standing up.
With his palm still pressed to his scar Harry shakily spoke. "Voldemort is angry, he is summoning everyone."
"Where's Snape?" Ron asked pulling the map towards him to look. His eyes searched for a moment before he looked up. "He's coming up from the dungeons, must be headed to the Forbidden Forest."
Harry stood up. "You guys don't have to come with…"
"Harry we're going with you if you like it or not." Hermione interrupted. "Well come on then."
Grabbing his invisibility cloak Harry lead the way down the stairs and out of the portrait hole. Before anybody saw them he pulled it over the three as they made their way towards the Entrance Hall.
"How exactly are we to know where Snape goes after he apparates?" Hermione whispered as they finally made it outside. "Won't Voldemort's place have wards against this kind of thing?"
Harry smirked pulling out an orb. "Voldemort's place may be uncharted and warded, but if a person with this type of tracking device on them it will be able to track them to the general vicinity.
Seeing the orb in Harry's hand Hermione's eyes grew wide. "Harry its brilliant." She exclaimed.
"What exactly is it?" Ron asked completely confused.
Hermione only rolled her eyes. "It's the wizard's version of the muggle GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System." She explained to the red-head.
"Oh!" Ron said as it became clear to him.
Once the trio made it into the Forbidden Forest, Harry took off the cloak, shrunk it and put it into his pocket. Taking his broom out he resized it looked at the orb for a moment. "It says Snape is out in the country about twenty miles west from here." He said placing the orb carefully in his shirt pocket as he climbed on his broom.
Ron did the same with his broom. "Come on Hermione get on." He gestured to behind him.
Grudgingly Hermione got on behind Ron and the two boys took off. As they got up in the air Harry rechecked the orb and headed west where the little dot that was Snape was located.
"How are we supposed to find him?" Hermione called over the wind as they neared they're destination.
Harry shrugged as he searched the ground for any sign of an entryway. "I guess we could wait and see if any other Death eaters come late to the meeting." He called back.
Ron and Harry landed behind a stand of trees and shrunk their brooms. In crouched positions the three teens moved along the forest floor watching for any sign of movement.
Hermione paused a moment as something caught her eye. About thirty yards ahead of her was a movement of black robes. "Guys hold on." She whispered holding her hand out to stop the boys from going any further.
"What is it?" Harry asked absently rubbing his scar.
Silently Hermione pointed ahead of them. "There's a few of them up ahead." She said. "Let's follow them."
Harry nodded as he led the way, keeping an eye on the robed figures who had continued to walk towards the center of the clearing. The two robed figures stopped, the lead figure glanced around before kneeling on the ground and pulling something up.
Squinting Hermione made out a brass ring embedded in the grass. Moments later she turned hearing Harry hiss in pain grabbing his forehead forcefully. "He…he's angry." He whispered. "They were late…Voldemort doesn't like lateness."
"Should we go then?" Ron asked nervously licking his lips, his hand absently gripping his wand so tight that his knuckles were white.
Hermione worried her bottom lip. "Harry are you sure we shouldn't get the professors?" She asked.
Harry shook his head. "No…no, by the time someone gets here it'll be done and over with."
"This is bloody nuts Harry you know that right?" Ron said with a nervous smirk.
Hermione gulped. "Let's go." She whispered as she gathered courage and moved into the clearing.
Carefully grasping the brass ring, Hermione pulled the grass covered wooden door open revealing curved stone stairs. Glancing at her friends Hermione made the first move, carefully making her way down the stairs. Pressing her body against the wall, she motioned for Ron and Harry to follow her downward.
Keeping to the shadows of the stairwell they approached the torch lit corridor where Hermione could here the screams of Voldemort's followers as he 'punished' them for whatever felt like.
Wands at ready Harry maneuvered ahead of Hermione, taking the lead as they made their way towards a large wooden door where the screams emitted from the tortured death eaters.
Right outside the door Harry inhaled sharply, hissing in pain as the burning in his scar intensified. Hermione became worried seeing him bite down on his lower lip. "Harry…" she whispered urgently carefully placing her hand on his trembling shoulder.
Harry tensed at the slight touch of his friend's hand. "Harry…" Hermione whispered again. "Maybe we should go back and get help." She stated.
"No" Harry said forcefully shaking his head. "Let's go."
Reaching forward Harry carefully opened the door an inch and peered inside the chamber room. Quietly Hermione looked over Harry's shoulder. Inside the chamber stood a dozen or so masked figures clothed in black robes.
Standing in front of the group stood a snake-like man with red eyes and an evil aura about him. His long spindly fingers twirled a wand lazily as he glared down at his newest crucified follower who moaned and convulsed on the ground in front of him.
"Severusssss…" Voldemort hissed angrily. "Severussss you have betrayed ussssssss." Voldemort pointed his wand at the body before him. "Crucio"
Hermione gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth as Snape cried out when the unforgivable curse hit him.
One of the masked figures turned towards the door. "Master…." He called urgently over Snape's anguished cries. "Master….there is someone beyond the door."
Voldemort's red eyes narrowed as he ended the curse and turned towards the door.
"Reducto" The door with which the Gryffindor trio was hiding behind exploded into a million pieces, throwing the teens to the ground. "Bring them to me." He ordered.
Hermione scrambled to her feet but she was too late. Two Death Eaters grabbed her by the arms and dragged her into the room. Four more dragged Harry and Ron in a moment later.
"Just who I wanted to see…" Voldemort hissed a cruel smile spreading across his face. "I was wondering when you would return to me." He placed the tip of his wand under Harry's chin.
Harry screwed up his face in pain as the burning increased tenfold when Voldemort's long fingers touched Harry's pale face.
Hermione struggled against the arms that held her tightly. Beside her Ron was growing red with anger as he struggled against the arms that held him.
Voldemort turned back to the crumpled heap on the ground. "Tell me Severussss, why did you not bring these three to me yourself?" Voldemort hissed angrily.
Severus struggled to his knees. "Forgive me my Lord. Potter and Granger were heavily guarded after they were returned to Hogwarts." He bowed his head lower praying to Merlin that the snake would believe him.
Voldemort shook his head. "You lie my potionssss master." Lazily he pointed his wand at Severus. "Crucio"
Severus fell to the ground once more biting his lip in pain as he convulsed. Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she watched her mentor being tortured. Looking around Hermione realized that all of the Death Eaters were watching the torture avidly; in fact on of the men holding her had loosened his grip on her arm.
She grabbed her wand from the man's pocket. "Stupefy" she cried stunning the man on her right. She quickly stunned the other man and the four figures holding onto Harry and Ron.
"Get them you idiots!" Voldemort roared in anger as the teens freed themselves and started to blast the figures around them.
Hermione dodged curses right and left as she blocked some and throwing some of her own. The battle raged on around her as she downed many of the Death eaters were attacking. She spotted Voldemort standing near his throne watching coolly waiting. Snape lay on the ground breathing hard trying to raise shakily to his knees.
"Voldemort" Harry called as he stunned the last Death eater. Red eyes looked into enraged emerald eyes. "It's time we finish this." He stated.
The snake-like man smirked evilly as he stepped down from the throne. "You can't defeat me." He hissed.
Hermione looked horrified as Harry faced the Dark Lord. This wasn't going to pretty. While the two were occupied with each other Hermione motioned for Ron to help her with Snape. "Professor are you ok?" She whispered helping him move out of the way.
"Crucio" Voldemort roared his wand pointed at Hermione.
Pain radiated through her body as the curse hit her. Hermione screamed in pain as she fell. She would have hit the floor if it hadn't been for Snape and Ron catching her. Severus looked up at his ex-lord rage smoldering in his obsidian eyes.
"You monster…" He snarled weakly raising his wand and pointing it at Voldemort.
At the same time Snape threw a curse at the Dark Lord, Harry threw on of his own causing Voldemort to be thrown into his throne forcefully. Harry slowly walked up the stone stairs and approached the fallen lord wand ready.
"Because of you I have no family." He whispered dangerously. "I hate you with every fiber in my being.
Voldemort raised his wand, pointing it at Harry. "Crucio"
The curse hit Harry bringing him to his knees. He tried to fight it off but it was no use. "I will finally kill you, you little brat."
"Aveda ka…"
"Stupefy" All of a sudden three red beams flew over Harry's head striking Voldemort in the chest.
Harry rose shakily to his feet, anger raged through his eyes. "You killed my family and you have hurt my friends." He stepped forward. "One of us will die tonight for both of us can't live." Voldemort's eyes opened wide knowing it was part of the Prophecy.
Trembling Harry raised his wand. "Aveda Kadavera." He screamed. A bright green light came from his wand hitting the Dark Lord in the chest.
Said lord's eyes grew wide in astonishment as the red dulled and he fell to the ground dead.
Dropping to his knees Harry began to tremble, his wand slipping from his shaking fingers, his emerald eyes staring blankly and unseeing at the body of his enemy on the ground in front of him.
Hermione sat up with the help of Ron and carefully looked at Harry worriedly. Struggling to her feet, ignoring the tremors that ran through her muscles she slowly made her way over to Harry.
"Har…Harry…" She whispered gently placing a hand on her best friend's shoulder.
Wiping a tear from his eye Harry's gaze slowly looked up at Hermione. "I really am a murderer…" He whispered dejectedly.
"Oh no…" Hermione whispered squatting down beside him. "Harry you had to kill him. He would have killed you in a heartbeat." Wrapping her arms around her trembling friend she hugged him tightly. "You saved everybody. Don't ever believe you're a murderer."
Harry held Hermione tightly. "Are you ok, Hermione?" He asked running a hand through her bushy brown hair.
Hermione nodded in his shoulder. "Let's go home Harry." She whispered standing up and holding her hand out for Harry to take.
Taking her hand Harry stood and looked over at Professor Snape who was being supported by Ron. "Are you ok Professor?" Hermione asked as she supported Harry.
"As well as I could be." Snape replied. "Come children, lets go." He added putting out a hand in an inner pocket of his robes and pulled out a Merlin figurine and held it out. "It's a portkey, take hold of it."
The three teens touched the figurine. "Slytherin" Snape spoke out clearly.
A familiar tug behind their navels and they were off. Moments later they landed in the Hospital wing.
"Severus!" Pomfrey gasped as the four appeared in the middle of the room. "Please tell me Severus that you didn't take the children to your meeting."
Severus glared at the medi-witch as he helped get the children into the beds. "Don't be daft woman." He snarled. "They followed me somehow." He glared at Harry.
Harry looked away from the glare. "It's over…" He whispered. "It's finally over….I'm free."
Hermione hugged Harry once more then went over to Snape who was leaning heavily on the bed near the door. "Professor you should lay down and let Madame Pomfrey look over you." She whispered giving the potions master a gentle hug.
Severus complied, lying carefully on the white bed. Pomfrey gave him his usual cocktail for after death eater meetings and told him sternly that he wasn't to leave that bed until she gave him the ok.
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It was well past midnight when Hermione sat up unable to sleep. Looking over at the two beds next to her she smiled softly seeing her two best friends sleeping soundly. Of course Harry had a little help with a Dreamless sleep potion.
Carefully crawling out of bed Hermione tiptoed over to Professor Snape's bed and quietly climbed in beside him. "Miss Granger…"He whispered knowingly. "Why are you out of bed?" Hermione never answered the question as she carefully hugged him.
"I'm glad you're ok." She whispered sleepily.
"Only because you and your friends went into the darkness to save us all." Severus whispered adjusting himself into a more comfortable position. Closing his eyes Severus fell asleep peacefully for the first time in a long time.
"Goodnight...Professor." She whispered. Harry was right it was finally over.
The End
Thank you everybody for reading my fic and for your patience. School is my top priority at the moment and so my story writing is on the back burner so to speak. I hope this last chapter wasn't horrible. If you want I'll write an epilogue chapter, but only if you guys want me too. Review!