Disclaimer: I don't own anything, as you should all know...sigh...wish I did though.

A/N: Hi!! I'm back...well...sorta...I've got limited time online now...due to a descipline issue with certain demons...but anyway...I'm still updating...so no worries...if any of you were worrying! A thanks to all who had review! I really appreciate them...to all those who reviewed without signing in, I would like to thank you personally for your support...but it's a shame that I don't have your emails...if you get my drift...if you don't mind...can leave your email down? Before I go blabbering on...

Sanctuary

She stepped out of the side-street where her recent duel had taken place.

She looked around; the battle was over. They won...this one at least. They'd prevailed...but not without a price. Two of their new members were dead. Lying lifeless in the snow. Like the thirty-odd black cloaked bodies on the ground.

She didn't like to think of the dark clothed figures as men and women. All humanity was lost the second Voldemort's mark had branded them. What emotions that had been left were scarce. Hatred and a bitter coldness.

Their bodies will remain eternally nameless.

It wasn't right. Or fair. Two of them should be honored. Two of them fought for freedom, happiness and future.

Yet this was a war.

Their deaths were insignificant. It would not stop the war. The war wouldn't stop. Not until Voldemort...or Harry died. Not until one side collapsed.

Hermione looked at the floor, and noticed. As she had expected, the layer of purity was stained. With mud...and blood.

It was ironic. The blood of the 'pure' mixed with mud. The blood that was supposed to be above her. Beyond reach. Unattainable. Full of power. The better blood. It was below her feet now. Lowly. Dirty. And useless.

She smiled grimly still absorbing the scenery in front of her. She didn't even realize someone was beside her until a hand clapped her shoulder. Moody was next to her, sporting numerous minor cuts. His remaining hair, tousled. His thin lips stretched into a smirk.

"Well done, Granger. You've done well." He said gruffly.

Hermione's mind screamed. She did not deserve the praise. She didn't kill him. She couldn't kill him. She left him...alive.

A pop was heard in the darkened street that she emerged.

Both of their heads snapped towards the sound. They knew this sound well. It was apparation or disapparation. They ran. Without another thought. But before they reached the end of the road...where Hermione left him, another pop was heard.

Moody slowed. Hermione slowed with the experienced Auror. Moody pulled out his wand and took a defending pose. In case more Death Eaters arrived. Hermione followed suit as they proceed towards the dismal place.

"Damn!" Moody swore loudly. His magical eye roamed inside its socket madly.

They've arrived. Both of them, wands raised. Yet no one was there. The only evidences of presence of men before was the hazard pattern of foot steps and the indents made of the slow of bodies lain down.

He had escaped. Probably with the help of the Death Eater that had just arrived. He was back to his Lord.

Her emotions were conflicted. She was glad that she did not have to face him for a second time this evening. Yet it also meant that he was alive. She hadn't fulfilled her vow to Harry. This meant, she would meet him again. In another time. Another situation.

She must confront her fear again.

Damn indeed.

"Granger!" Moody barked as he walked away. "They've escaped. We can't do anything. Let's get back to the others. And CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Don't let me catch you off guard again! It may mean your life next time."

"Yes, sir!" Hermione called back as she followed Moody.

Everyone gathered in front of Moody when she arrived. None of them were seriously injured, but Tonks had to help Kingsley stand as his leg was distorted in several place.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Tonks yelped as Kinsley slipped from her grip.

Kingsley landed with a shout of pain.

Hermione saw Moody shook his head. She sympathized. It was amazing that this girl became an Auror. Moody turned to another member of the group which Hermione did not know too well and told him to take Kingsley back to the Head Quarters first.

When they'd apparated, the remaining members of the Order of Phoenix went to their job- taking care of the corpses. Burying them...or honoring them.

She walked up to a Death Eater's body and kneeled down. She tore off the mask and looked into the face.

A face of a human.

He was a boy. Had to be a boy. He looked no older than eighteen. Maybe just out of school...or worse...still in school. There wasn't any innocence on that face though. The innocence that she had had while still in Hogwarts. The naïve nature. She wasn't surprised, and she was saddened by it. This face before her, was destroyed. By many things. Hatred, pain, injuries...She could see a hint of ambition in his soulless eyes...Draco's ambition...and...and...

Fear.

The most dominating emotion in his eyes. His last thoughts and feelings.

It was the fear of the greater power. The unknown.

Death.

Hermione gently laid her hands above the empty eyes and pushed the lids down. Ridding him of his final sentiment. Making him look peaceful. She, using her wand, wrapped the body up. It was to be disposed of. In the graveyard with million of nameless epitaphs, the pawn would make its final rest where its sins would remain unknown for all eternity. Except for those who knew them.

Someday, it would be Draco in front of her. Or maybe her. But what would be different is: neither of them were pawns. They would not remain nameless.

She saw Remus approached her.

"Don't let Moody catch you day dreaming." Remus said to her softly. He then looked at the corpse in front of him. He smiled grimly. "It's sad, isn't it? Seeing a boy so young taking the path of darkness and disaster."

"Yes, it is." Hermione said as she levitated the body and led it towards the group of bodies. She noticed that two bodies were enfolded in golden sheets. Their two brave fighters. She never really got to know them...

"You can't do anything about his choice, Hermione." Remus said, thinking that the girl was affected by the killings today.

"I know." She said, looking at the body one last time before turning around and made her way to another corpse. "They chose their paths."

When the arrangements for the deceased were completed. They returned to 12 Grimmauld place. Her sanctuary. A place where troubles were shared upon shoulders. There, she was greeted with warmth and a cup of cocoa, which she much needed after such depressing events.

She tried not to think. Knowing that anticipating herself over this would not do her any good.

Yet when she lay in bed that night, she could not help but wonder about him at the other side of world. Her Only anxiety.

A/N: So, what do you think? It's a bit slow at the moment...but I promise, I'll make it even better as the story goes on! Please review...The next chapter would be of Draco's...I think...and I'm hoping that I can get some more reviews this time...maybe reaching 25 reviews for this story won't be that bad...p

REVIEW PLEASE! (with cookie n' cream ice cream and lots of chocolate fudge on top?)