Disclaimer: I don't own anything. How sad -sobs-
A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed! I love you ALL so much! However, this chapter is dedicated to saFire flamE whose bday is today!!! Happy Bday!! I love you, my friend!
Debt
She downed the small mouthful of potion without hesitation. Then grimaced.
Pain struck immediately.
It was a foul concoction and the pain it caused surpassed Skelle-grow, which was a very mild form of it.
She steadied herself on a nearby desktop in the resident potion Lab. Staring intensely at the floor, she tried to ignore the side-effects of the potion. She should have been readied for this. It was, after all, not the first time that she had used this potion.
Snape walked in and saw her. His protégé. Then he saw the bottle of Potion.
It was shock at first. To see this potion out.
Only few knew the existence of this potion in the lab. It was a dangerous potion. Close to poison. It was severe, deadly...and pure. So pure that, it could possibly save a man near death.
But he understood. He understood her need. Her determination. Her pain.
Feeling eyes upon her, Hermione looked up from the floor. "I'm fine." She said steadily to her mentor.
"You shouldn't take this potion." He stated, but not without empathy. "It will do more harm in the long term. It's not healthy to force your body to heal faster than it is capable of."
"I know. I was your student." She smiled wistfully, her tone than turned bitter. "But they are not keeping me here this time. I need to be there this time. It is time to end this. It has to end."
Snape looked skeptically at her. "Is it now?" he said. "There is still-"
"No." Hermione said firmly. "Draco's dead. He died that day at graduation. When he chose the other path. I don't love him anymore."
But she did.
And both of them knew it.
"I must go now, Severus." She said softly, her eyes slightly downcast. "I will end this. One way or another."
She left the room without looking back.
xxXxx
She entered the living room quietly. The tension was thick in the air. Thick enough to suffocate in it. Everyone was going over last minute plans or having meditations. It was always like this. The tension. The somberness.
Harry was scowling. Like a child.
"Remind me again, why am I not going this time?" he asked sulkily.
"Because, Harry, your injuries are still fresh and you, of all people, need your rest." Ginny sighed. Although she adored Harry, during times like this, the man in him would hide. He would become quite unbearable and childish.
"But-" He stood up to emphasize his state of health.
"No buts." Moody barked from his spot in the room. "You're a vital to the war. We are not going to have you frolicking around the spells when you can't hold one yourself!"
After the firm reprimand from Moody, Harry sat back down and crossed his arms, staring at the carpeted floor, moodily.
"Last check!" Moody barked again, gathering the solemn group around him. "You all know what we are doing tonight! You all know the risks! If you decide that you can't take it, leave now! I will not tolerate any stupidity when we leave! You understand?"
"Yes!" a chorus of people said. Despite the fact that this speech was said many a time, it was important to them. It reminded them of their significance. Their purpose. Their Goal.
Hermione watched as Tonks, Kingsley, Remus and the new members filed out of the room. She was about to follow them when a hand stopped her. It was Moody.
"Granger." He said, with one eye looking at her and his face void of expression, "I heard what happened. I am, simply appalled by your thoughtlessness..."
"Mr. Moody!" Harry snapped out of his sulk, startling Ginny beside him. "That was unnecessary! I'm aliv-"
"Harry! It's okay." She said, still looking at Moody. "I made a mistake with my decision. It is my responsibility to take up the consequences."
"Very Good, Granger." Moody looked at her, this time with both eyes and a tinge of admiration. "Remember, CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Get out there fast!"
With that, Moody walked out of the room.
Hermione followed. She knew that he would be there.
xxXxx
It had been snowing. A thin layer of pure white adorned the empty street. It was a shame that such purity would be stained soon.
"Don't spare them." Ron said to her as she got into her position, alert.
"Don't plan to." She said grimly.
Another skirmish. Lives would be lost. None of them should be of great significance to the war. But one. He would be here tonight. She knew it. Deep down, she didn't want him to be, but she also knew that he would. He would be here tonight. Leading his lord's minions. Leading those insignificant chess pieces. The pawns. Pawns that would not make it to the other side.
It started with the sounds of apparition. Over thirty Death Eaters appeared. Gathered tightly in a group.
All amateurs. Making themselves a target by crowding round.
Definitely pawns.
A nearly inaudible pop was heard. She knew that pop. He arrived.
Then before any action could be taken. Spells flew over to them. She saw him ducked with ease to avoid the many spells. But many were hit. Bodies dropped to the floor like puppets without string.
The odds were evened out.
Different duels started at the same time. Colorful lights flashed in the dark night. She attacked without blinking. Death Eaters that approached her were down before a duel happened.
She had a purpose this night. She wasn't up for the petty duels with the soldiers. She wanted the Commander. Be damned the adversaries that stood between them.
He stood at the edge of the battle. That was where she found him. Aloof. Calculating. And...surprised to see her there.
"Hermione-" he said as he saw the determined gleam in her eyes
They met once again.
In the mad waltz of curses.
She was ready for him.
It was time to start their final dance.
"Diffindo!" she yelled, sending the spell directly at him.
He was shocked. But he dodged in time and sent one back at her.
"Protego!" she defended herself.
The duel was exclusive. None attacked her or him aside from the two of them. It was as if no one was aware of this combat. Maybe no one was. The fight was probably still raging with the others.
Curses were sent back and forth. They were both aware of each other's capability in duels. Both were cautious.
Though, Hermione took the potion, her stamina still waned faster than she hoped. In the lapse of a second, when she didn't move fast enough, she was hit by the jelly leg spell.
Not exactly the dangerous ones that she expected him to use. But it was enough to make her fall onto the floor. He slowly approached her.
He might be worried or he might be preparing for the final hit.
She sent a body-binding jinx at him as soon as he was within the hit-range. She did not have the time to think.
He went down.
She took the spell off her body and stood up shakily.
Hermione made her way to him. Determined. Victorious. He was still conscious from his hard fall. Good.
She raised her wand at him. She smiled grimly. Not long ago, their positions were switched. Now it was her wand pointing at him. She should be ruthless. She should not spare him. Not him, of all people.
His eyes were stormy. They stared at her. It wasn't fear that shone in them though. But an understanding, acceptance...and adoration. She saw a tinge of confidence too. The confidence that dared her to kill him. As if killing him would make things better.
It should. For her. But would that be giving him an easy way out?
She had the right-hand man of the opposing front at her mercy. Yet she could not utter the spell. The determination seemed to slip. The resolution became unclear and unimportant. When he looked into her eyes, her entire being plunged into turmoil.
Filled in her heart and mind, were not the hate, the cruelty, the power and strength she needed. It was sorrow, love, weakness...and a debt. A debt she owed and had yet to pay.
"Through this," she whispered softly, her wand wavering in her hand. "My debt is paid, Draco. Next time we meet, may only one of us survive."
May fate seal this pledge. She did not think she could go on anymore under these situations. She would quail.
Hermione looked at his eyes and she found the same sorrow of their future reflecting in his eyes.
But sorrow would not help. Not in the past, nor in the present.
Not when fate was against them.
She turned her back. She wasn't afraid that he might attack her. She knew him too well. He couldn't. Not under her Body-Bind. He wouldn't. For until next time they met, they would still in love.
Until next time they met, she could not, would not kill him; nor he, her.
But it would be different soon. And they both knew it.
A/N: So what do you think? How do you like the story? Hm? Hm? Please Review, Review, Review, Review!!!! -runs around hyperly, ducking from fings thrown her- REVIEW!